Twelve months ago Warrnambool's Happ family made one of its toughest decisions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cameron and Melissa relocated to Utah to put their daughter Jess into treatment for a range of allergies.
They had been told the chances the six-year-old would overcome the allergies were slim.
"For years we were told there was nothing doctors could do," Mrs Happ said.
Jess was allergic to dairy, eggs, kiwi fruit, peanuts and treenuts.
Not only that, she suffered from contact allergies - which meant she could have a severe reaction from simply touching someone who had come into contact with these allergens.
The family had to be extremely vigilant and eating out at restaurants was a constant source of stress.
Jess was unable to even sit next to someone at school who was eating egg or cheese.
Her diet was extremely restricted and she missed out on a number of the comfort food items other children were allowed to eat.
The couple recently returned home to Warrnambool and say the results are miraculous.
"It's been life-changing in more ways than one," Mrs Happ said.
Jess now happily snacks on donuts and even enjoyed her first Happy Meal recently.
Her parents said Jess was so much happier and healthier.
Jess was treated at the Rocky Mountain Allergy at Tanner Clinic in Utah under Dr Douglas Jones.
Read more: Happ family to relocate to Utah
While in Utah, the couple said there were about 30 Australian families seeking Oral Immunotherapy treatment at the clinic.
Jess can now eat egg and baked milk, kiwi fruit and nuts. "She loves omelettes," Mrs Happ said.
Jess, who was home-schooled while in the US, has returned to school at St Joseph's.
Mrs Happ said she no longer waited by the phone all day worried Jess would have an allergic reaction.
She said her daughter had settled in well back at school.
The couple said they were extremely grateful to Dr Jones and said other families should look into similar treatments.
They hope one day there will be a clinic that offers solutions for families in Australia.
Mrs Happ said Jess was continuing her OIT for milk at home and was progressing well.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.