In 1954 a doctor in Austria saw two girls in his waiting room and wondered about their behaviour. Dr Andreas Rett noticed that they were both making the same unusual hand washing motions and it wasn't long before he found six more girls with what became known as Rett's Syndrome.
The affliction is believed to occur at the time of conception and is the result of a genetic mutation in the MECP2 gene.
Rett's Syndrome is very hard to spot in the early stages but it ultimately leads to some obvious symptoms such as hand ringing, pulling out of hair, loss of motor-functions and speech. Sadly the cause in unknown.
Jane Diffey is part of a local group called Clare's Angels and her daughter is a Rett's Syndrome child.
The group is holding a major fundraiser on New Years Eve to raise awareness about the syndrome and to raise money for Orana Early Intervention which supports children like Clare.
Clare's Angels will be holding a raffle in Dubbo at the Rotunda on Saturday and a fundraising ball on New Years Eve.