Three years ago she was excitedly preparing for a sleepover with friends to celebrate her birthday when she was struck down with a rare illness called viral encephalitis.

She had to start from square one after that, re-learning everything from movement to her literacy.

But cruelly, last year she was again hit with the illness, this time an auto immune version.

It affects her cognitive abilities, movement and causes seizures.

She was again back at square one again and this time the road to recovery looked even more difficult.

Now when her birthday comes around, it's a reminder of what she has missed out on and how life has changed.

But she's still determined to enjoy the little things in life - like going to the beach - and relies on her full time carer and mother Nicole Rappell, as well as a NDIS funded support worker.

When Emily Yarra and husband Michael Kobier - owners of Brightside Produce, a farm in between Canberra and Cooma - were thinking about how to help their young niece and her extensive rehabilitation needs, they knew they needed to find a way to provide ongoing support.

So with the help of extended family they came up with the idea to start a flock of chicken and sell the eggs to Canberra businesses.

Ms Yarra received an overwhelming response last week when she reached out for interested businesses after months of planning - with Bitten Goodfoods and Bario in Braddon among the businesses to get on board.

"We're a big family who are very close with lots of nieces and nephews," she said.

"Matilda's always just been a very cheeky, very high energy kid loved by everyone and it's a big sadness for us to see her sick."

Ms Happell said she was overwhelmed by the support from her family and the community, realising the significant extra work her sister and brother in-laws were taking on to produce and sell the eggs.

And the farm itself holds a special place in their hearts, adding to the significance of the gesture.

"When we first found out that Matilda was getting sick again we were staying on the farm," Ms Happell said.

"To have part of their farm being part of the support makes it really special."

She's learnt sharing her story with others not only is a cathartic release, but leads to compassion and understanding.

As Matilda becomes more aware of her situation, her grief for her former life is more evident.

"She cries and has days when she is really angry," Ms Happell said.

"But her spirit is definitely in tact, what makes her who she is, her quirkiness is there

"Her inner core being is still the same."

The extended family all contributed financially to the chickens and infrastructure to build and buy it.

They are planning on producing and selling the eggs on an ongoing basis so Matilda is looked after into the future.

The first load of eggs is being distributed to businesses on Tuesday.

To find out more about the distribution of the eggs for Matilda, contact Brightside Produce on Facebook @producebrightside