Why Is This Family In Quarantine? And It's Not Ebola!

INSIDE EDITION geared up in hazmat suits to get this family’s story of living in quarantine to protect their young daughter.

Our camera crew suited up in protective gear complete with hoods, masks, booties, and gloves. Every precaution had to be taken before they entered the home of Cara and Glenn O'Neill.

The family of four has been quarantined in their house for six months. That's right. The last time they had contact with people on the outside was May 15th.

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The protective gear immediately brings thoughts of the Ebola scare, but no one here has the virus.

So, why the quarantine? It's all to protect five-year-old Eliza.

Little Eliza has Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare terminal disorder that causes autism-like symptoms, inability to walk and, eventually, death.

Even a simple cold can hasten her decline, so the O'Neill's are in self-imposed quarantine.

The most outdoor activity the O'Neill's get is riding their bikes in circles in their backyard. They have pretty much zero contact with the outside world.

Cara told INSIDE EDITION, "It was something that we could do to protect Eliza."

Before we could start our interview, she wiped down the microphones.

Cara had to leave her job as a pediatrician. She now home schools Eliza and their seven-year-old son, Beckham. Yes, Beckham is also trapped in quarantine.

A friend delivers the family's groceries, and Cara cleans every item with disinfecting wipes before they come into the house.

Glenn, who works from home, talks to their friend through the window.

When packages arrive from amazon.com filled with more provisions they ordered online, he puts his rubber gloves on and disinfects everything.
 
As far as communication with the grandparents goes, that's all done via Skype because they no longer visit.

Glenn told INSIDE EDITION, "We've heard, 'You're being overly cautious,' but how can you be overcautious when you're talking about the chance of life for your child?"

So, for the foreseeable future, you'll have to suit up if you want to visit the family in the plastic bubble.

For more information about how you can help the family raise money for a clinical trial that could save Eliza’s life, head over to savingeliza.com.