A family whose young daughter suffers from a rare genetic condition has been left reeling by the heartless theft of their Christmas decorations.

Jayda Thandi, 12, has just learned to walk – a major development for a little girl born who’s learned to live with ‘Charge Syndrome’ and has undergone open heart surgery.

“Throughout her life she's been given a 50 per cent chance seven times,” her father Paul Thandi told CTV Vancouver.

“She's just a fighter. She has a Pacemaker.”

Because Jayda loves Christmas so much her single father decorated their home with large holiday inflatables, including a seven-foot penguin and a four-foot polar bear.

“She’s sight-impaired so she can actually see it,” he said.

But the characters were stolen sometime around dinner time Monday night.

Family friend Katherine Naughton said the young girl was delighted every time she saw them, but she will no longer get to experience that joy.

“She actually likes to give them a high-five when she comes in the house and she can't give those high-fives anymore,” Naughton said.

Paul Thandi said the people who took the decorations don’t know what his little girl is going through.

“Jayda has had a pretty rough year, health-wise,” he said.

It’s the second time the south Vancouver home has been targeted.

A real-life Grinch visited the house before just before Christmas 10 years ago and stole decorations. It was while Jayda was in hospital getting surgery.

“That’s when we were told she had six months to live and when we’re at the hospital the people cleared everything out,” he said.

But unlike last time, this Christmas Jayda is old enough to notice.

“If someone who couldn't afford it I would have gave it to him. It’s not a big deal. I would have said ‘Merry Christmas’. But to take it that’s what really bothered me,” Paul Thandi said.

But the people who love Jayda won’t let it ruin her Christmas.

“You have to carry on and see what else is good in the world around you,” said Naughton.

If you want to help the Thandi family please email reporter Shannon Paterson at shannon.paterson@bellmedia.ca.