Megan's Medical Surgery Funds

Story

  Megan E. Acosta was born Aug 8, 1995 at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. She was born with a rare birth mark from the hip to toe. Her parents, Elliot & Marie Acosta, immediately questioned the doctors regarding the birth mark, but their response was "it's just a birth mark it should fade away as she gets older, and should be no problem". As parents, we were very concerned with the size and color of the birth mark, but the doctors continued to say it should fade away on its own. This response was not reassuring, so we continued asking questions and pressing for answers from Megan’s pediatrician, who said “the marking was just a birth mark with skin discoloration" and is not a problem. We were still left wondering "Is this birth mark a deadly one? In my heart, I felt something was still wrong.   At the young age of 3 years old, Megan started to dance and compete fluently in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. When she finally hit the age of 9, I had noticed a change in her walk almost as if she was limping. A couple months later Megan had taken a Cecchetti exam for ballet and her examiner had requested to speak with me after the exam in private. She had informed that she had noticed Megan’s right leg was longer and that she could possibly have scoliosis. We had taken her to many doctors and chiropractors, but everyone just said she had scoliosis and a birthmark.    In 2010 at age 17, Megan was rushed to the emergency room in extreme pain and swelling from the birth mark and a medical specialist finally diagnosed her with tendonitis in the ankle for overweight compensation and discovered that she has a vascular birth mark condition known as KTS. What is KTS?  Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome is a rare malformation involving blood and lymph vessels and abnormal growth of soft and bone tissue. This causes many health risks. It involves abnormal benign growths on the skin consisting of masses of blood vessels and varicose veins and in some cases internal bleeding may occur as a result of blood vessel malformation involving organs such as stomach, liver, spleen, bladder, kidneys, lungs or the heart. Without the treatment she needs Megan is at risk for blood clots, heart attacks, toughing, blistering, and bleeding of the infected skin, continuous growth of the leg, and future cardiac problems.  KTS is often a progressive disorder and complications may be life-threatening. Megan must go through life treatments to manage her symptoms.   Despite Megan’s disabilities, she has managed to fight through the numbing pain and overcome numerous obstacles to reach her goal of becoming a professional ballroom instructor. However, as she grows older and dances all day long, the numbing tingling sensations of her right leg continue to grow as well as the swelling in the right ankle.    The treatments and surgery that Megan will have to undergo are very costly, and unfortunately we were never given the correct diagnosis to have her treated early. Megan is in constant pain on her leg and hip and very often her leg goes numb. Megan’s profession is at risk. Megan needs treatment and surgery to make her life less painful and to assure that she can live a full life. In Megan’s line of work she has found many ways of using her dance talent to help and touch others around her. She has organized and volunteered for many charity events such as Toys for Tots, Healthy Start Coalition, Pals (Police Athletic Leagues) and many more raising thousands of dollars and toys for less fortunate children.    I don't know what words to say to express my situation and the pain in my heart as a mother to ask for help. As Megan's mother I am asking everyone to help with any amount of donation, it will be greatly appreciated. In order for Megan to receive the treatment and surgery she needs, we need to raise $30,000 for her treatment and surgery. I cannot express my deepest appreciation to all those that can help. I ask first in Jesus Christ may he give Megan the strength. Megan is a very loving young lady who has touched hundreds of lives in the community. I only ask the same support she has shared for others is returned to her throughout her journey. Thank you and may God bless. We are trying to have some dance event to raise money for her surgery please pass it on.  She is now dancing for her life.. Please sign in@ Http://www.gofundme.com/MegansSurgerySincerely yourEliott and Mare AcostaPs we have a deadline date May 1, 2015 to pay for the surgery.