A birthday party was held on Sunday for a 5-year-old girl who doctors say is lucky to be alive.

Five-year-old Elise ten Berge suffers from Tay-Sachs, a rare disease that attacks the nervous system. Babies born with the disease suffer from muscle paralysis and ultimately go blind. They often don?t get to see their fifth birthday.

Dressed as Cinderella, Elise arrived at her birthday party in a Cinderella-style carriage pulled by two white horses.

Her family said that her short life expectancy is the main reason why they decided to celebrate her birthday in this manner.

?To have her reach this - it was very special and why we made a big party for her. We don't know how much time we have," said John ten Berge, Elise?s father.