We need your help. My sister, Kristen, the person who has protected me, taken care of me, loved and given so deeply to her family, friends, clients, strangers, the homeless – everyone throughout her life – is sick and now she needs our help.  *You can follow Kristen’s journey on IG @Living_UCTD 

Kristen is up against MULTIPLE battles and is set to have brain surgery and back surgery. The medical bills are piling up so high and so fast, the debt is only adding to the stress and sickness. 

The brain surgery is due to Chiari Malformation (CM). CM is a condition in which the Cerebellum and Brain Stem slip and sag into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forces it downward. Kristen’s spinal fluid is not able to flow freely which aids in cleaning the brain and helping your entire nervous system function correctly. She faces incredible pain daily and the condition will only get worse if it’s not treated quickly. Some of her current symptoms include tremors, migraines that last days, tinnitus, vertigo, trouble swallowing, fatigue, balance problems, stuttering, slurred speech, and more. This will only get worse for her if she does not have the surgery and could kill her. The surgery includes removing part of her skull and her C1 vertebrae leaving only her neck muscles to hold her head up. They need to create space and will place an artificial ‘hammock’ around part of her brain.

Kristen has also learned that she suffers from Degenerative Disc Disease in every disc in her spine as well as arthritis in her spine. Due to the degeneration she also needs to have surgery to replace two discs in her back with synthetic discs. Her symptoms include numbness in her legs and feet as well as extreme pain to her hips and back. She’s unable to sit up from laying down without the help of the railing from her bed. Nerve tests reveal she’s at risk of permanent nerve damage.

Kristen also has Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (U.C.T.D.). U.C.T.D. is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues including muscles, joints, etc. Kristen is very sensitive to medications and works to combat the horrifying side effects that come with this autoimmune disease as holistically as possible. 

Throughout all of this, Kristen has stayed away from opioids, continued to show up daily for her job, has been a complete champ in her attitude and shown immense strength in staying focused on beating all of this. She’s been carrying all of this on her shoulders, and now the weight of it all is too much. Her daily pain is so significant she can no longer work. Her body is fighting but without these surgeries, her quality of life will steadily get worse; this is not a life she deserves. 

Kristen is a fighter but she needs our financial help. She has moved in with our mom, cashed out all of her accounts, including her savings. Kristen has already spent thousands of dollars on procedures and scans to get these diagnoses, and all during a pandemic. Her immediate family is doing everything we can to help support her through this, but we don’t have enough. Kristen isn’t one to ask for help, but she’s my heart and I have to do everything I can to help her. This includes reaching out to YOU. However you got to this page – family, friend, client, or stranger. Please help. Funds raised will go towards her medical bills, surgeries, and to help cover monthly bills while she’s recovering.

If you don’t know Kristen personally, I’d like to share a few things about her. Kristen is a wildly talented interior designer and artist. She takes care of her family at the drop of a hat – twice moving back home, immediately uprooting her life, to take care of loved ones while they were sick. She’s the type of person who would rather give a present than get one. She stands up loud and tall for the marginalized. She’s honest. She loves deeply and gives her heart and ear to anyone who needs it. Kristen is my big sister, and she’s everything a big sister should be. Loving, strong, protective, my cheerleader and biggest confidant. 

Every donation helps. Sharing this post helps. Checking in on Kristen helps. Whatever you have to give, please please do. Kristen is fighting for her life.