Nacira’s Fight for Life

Hi, my name is Ibtissam.

My mother, Nacira, is 48 years old and a loving mother of three. She has always been a source of love, strength, and kindness to our family, cherishing the simple things in life, such as gardening and cooking a nice meal for us. However, in recent years, her health has deteriorated, leaving her in excruciating pain with an uncertain future, with no answers provided by medical professionals in our country, Morocco.

For years, my mother has endured debilitating symptoms: slurred speech, a sensation of suffocation, relentless headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fainting spells, vision and hearing problems, and uncontrollable shaking, without knowing the cause. During this time, she has lost 25 kg and much of her spark and love for life. She struggles to walk or stand, and even to engage in daily activities like watching a movie or going out for food. She also battles memory loss, brain fog, and insomnia daily, which worsens her mental health as she feels lost and incapable.

Finally, after years of searching for answers, we discovered the cause: Craniocervical and Atlantoaxial Instability with Neurological Symptoms. This rare, life-threatening condition means her skull and spine are unstable, causing severe compression on her brainstem and spinal cord. This instability affects her ability to move, breathe, and function, putting her life at constant risk.

The journey to a diagnosis has been long and challenging. After exhausting all options in Morocco, where there are no specialists or the necessary diagnostic tools for her condition, we sought help abroad. Initial consultations with Dr. Gilete, a renowned neurosurgeon in Barcelona, Spain and Dr. Bartolomé Oliver, a leading neurosurgeon at Centro Médico Teknon in Barcelona confirmed her diagnosis. Both recommend urgent surgery to stabilize her skull and spine.

The cost of this surgery, along with pre- and post-operative care, travel, and related expenses, is £80,000. This is far beyond what we can manage as a family. Every passing day, her condition gets worse, and we are terrified of what might happen if we can’t raise the funds in time.

Read Dr Oliver's supporting letter: https://bit.ly/3Pj7Jbt

My mum dreams of living without pain, being able to walk again, and simply being a mum who can care for her children. She wants to return to the woman she was before this illness took so much from her.

This is where we need your help.

Every donation, big or small, will help us get closer to saving my mum’s life. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page with your friends, family, and community would also mean the world to us.

Watching my mother fight this battle has been the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. I wake up every day hoping for a miracle, and with your help, I believe we can make that miracle happen.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.

With all my heart,

Ibtissam