Alyssa's Fight for Chiari Relief

We come to you today seeking financial assistance in order to help our 15 year old daughter who needs brain surgery. Our daughter was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation two years ago which was worsened after a concussion she had.  The doctors told us she was born with this condition, however has gone misdiagnosed for so many years.  It wasn’t until her head injury and after several neurologic evaluations that we were told of her true condition.  Chiari Malformation is a condition in which brain tissue extends into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. 

* Chiari affects 1 in 1,000 people and affects all ages 

* There is no cure for this condition

* There are very few “Experts” In the field

* The Chiari symptom list is long and complicated

* Decompression Brain Surgery is Usually Needed

In the past two years she has experienced Pain in her neck, muscle weakness, problems with coordination, stiff muscles, or overactive reflexes, pins and needles, reduced sensation of touch, sensitivity to light, or uncomfortable tingling and burning, blurred vision or double vision, difficulty swallowing, constant debilitating headaches, nausea, ringing in the ears, vertigo, or impaired voice and memory loss.  

She is no longer able to attend school like a normal teen. We are told she is now considered a liability and her symptoms have been increasing. We have a teacher who comes to her once a week. We fear that we are losing our spunky social butterfly. The emotional stress and depression is always present for her and our family, but I can honestly say it has not defeated her. She continues to fight for her life to be normal again. All she wants is to be a regular teen doing what teens do and not hurt any more. 

We have researched so many doctors and have found a doctor in New York who specializes in Chiari Malformation. His name is Dr. Bolognese. He has helped so many and we are praying he will be able to do the same for her.  After sending all of our information he has confirmed that our baby girl needs brain surgery. We know this will be costly with all the medical expenses, co-pays that need to be made and everything else, but we will not give up and will do what we can.  My daughter has not given up and neither will we. 

If anyone can help us out, in any way that would be greatly appreciated.  We vow that every cent you choose to graciously donate will be used to help our daughter get the medical care she so desperately needs and to help others in the same situation. We place our lives in God’s hands that everything will turn out well for our daughter and others who are dealing with an illness. 

Thank you,