CENTRE — For one-year-old Ian Ellis and his parents, every day is truly a miracle.

Ian, born last October to Wae and Mary Ellis of Centre, has a disorder known as Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata – RCDP for short. RCDP is a rare, genetic form of dwarfism with no treatment or cure. In the documented history of RCDP, there have only been four cases of the specific type that affects Ian.

Children who suffer from RCDP typically have shortened leg and arm bones, mental and growth deficiencies, seizures, and cataracts, among other symptoms. Life expectancy is usually measured in months, not years. Medical experts caution it is unlikely Ian will live to see his 10th birthday.

His parents are working hard to improve those odds.

This Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wae and Mary will host a fund raising event at the Recreation Outreach Center (ROC) in Centre. They hope the money generated at the Team Ian Extravaganza, combined with money they've already raised and saved over the past year, will eventually lead to an effective treatment regimen for Ian and other children like him.

“Our initial goal was to raise $15,000,” Mary Ellis told The Post last week. “And we're hoping to have a thousand people show up at the Extravaganza.”

The event, sponsored by the nationwide RCDP support organization Rhizo Kids, will feature inflatables, face painting, temporary tattoos, themed tents, silent auctions, a bakery sale, snacks, cookbooks, Team Ian T-shirts, window stickers, magnets and bracelets. An all-day pass will only cost $10; individual attractions will be 50 cents each.

Mary said she and Wae will take the money the event generates and combine it with around $15,000 they've already raised. Then they'll donate the entire amount to one of several RCDP research centers around the country.

“We're trying to get the researchers to compete for grants,” Mary said. “We wanted to have about a $30,000 grant to give out at the beginning of the 2009 year. Hopefully the Team Ian Extravaganza will get us to our goal.”

Mary said she's very grateful for the support she, Wae and Ian have received from the community.

“Almost all the money we have raised has come from Cherokee County,” she said. “And we saw a lot of Team Ian shirts at the Fall Festival last weekend. Those have really helped to spread awareness.”

Mary said she wanted to make sure, also, to thank the Centre City Council and Mayor Phil Powell. On Tuesday, they will officially declare Oct. 19 to be Rhizo Kids Day in Centre. And with the help of her co-workers, Mary, an elementary school teacher, has been able to stay home and take care of her son full-time – and be able to afford his costly medical expenses.

“The other teachers have donated almost enough sick days for me to be at home this whole school year, which has also allowed me to keep my health insurance. That was a big deal because it's really overwhelming,” she said. “You realize how blessed you are to live in a community like ours when you are faced with adversity.”

Mary said she is hopeful the research money, combined with some experimental treatments currently under development in Europe, will eventually help children like Ian lead more normal lives. She admitted the life she and Wae lead is not very similar to that of most new parents, and that as a result they sometimes lean heavily on their faith.

“Wae and I are good some days, and not so good other days,” Mary said. “We have days when we question our situation, but we are always thankful to God for blessing us with our beautiful son.”

Mary said she and Wae were so amazed at the interest the community has shown in Ian's condition from day to day that they've taken to keeping an online journal at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ianandyellis.

“I update everyday except weekends,” Mary said. “And then it always tells every fundraiser I have. Most people just want to keep up with Ian.”

And how is Ian these days?

“He had a cold last week and it got in his lungs, and that's the first time that ever happened,” she said. “But he got over it in a week. And he's going to have his cataract surgery on Nov. 7.”

Overall, Mary said she and Wae, and their families, are hopeful and upbeat about the future. And they are all proud of Ian and the fight he's waged to make it through every day they've had with him so far.

“Ian has taught us more in his 12 months of life than we will ever be able to teach him,” she said. “We now appreciate everything in life, and we don't sweat the small stuff.”