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As you probably know, Rachael Bishop and Brendan Clifford are expecting the arrival of their beautiful baby boy, Maverick Reid Clifford, this coming February. On Wednesday, November 2, 2021, an ultrasound and subsequent testing confirmed the devastating reality that baby Maverick had developed a rare neural tube defect known as myeloschisis the most serious form of spina bifida aside from myelomeningocele. He was originally diagnosed with myelomeningocele. This serious birth defect is causing baby Maverick’s spinal cord and nerves to develop outside of his body, which if left untreated, typically causes babies to have life-long muscle weakness or paralysis, bowel and bladder problems, abnormal brain development, seizures, and orthopedic conditions such as scoliosis, hip problems, and foot deformities.
As the result of modern advances in medicine, in the last few years, a groundbreaking procedure has been developed to correct and repair Maverick’s spinal cord before he is born, which will greatly reduce or potentially eliminate the issues that result from spina bifida. Rachael and baby Maverick have the miraculous opportunity to undergo this life-changing procedure from the USC Keck Medicine and Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles to give baby Maverick the best chance at having the life every child deserves.
The purpose of this fundraiser is to help pay for this procedure and the treatments and other expenses that are associated with it. Often, this procedure can cause babies to be born up to six to eight weeks early, resulting in additional medical expenses for the time that must be spent in the NICU. Though the procedure and subsequent treatments and medical costs are daunting, Rachael and Brendan can’t imagine not doing everything possible to give baby Maverick the best chance possible at a strong, healthy, normal life. We ask that you please consider giving whatever you can to help Rachael and Brendan with these medical costs. Anything that can be spared is a blessing to Rachael, Brendan, and the miracle that baby Maverick’s life will be.
Below is an article link to the Doctors first success of this surgery and the website. We are lucky to be going through Dr. Ramen Chmait.