Chelsea’s Journey with Chiari Malformation

Story

Ever since I can remember, Chelsea has been passionate about assisting others in need. From her early days as an EMT and first responder to her current role as a devoted nurse, her commitment to the welfare of people has been unwavering. However, back in 2016, Chelsea was diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I - a rare condition where the lower part of the brain herniates towards the spinal canal. Her cerebellar tonsils were descended to 7mm, and at first, her symptoms were written off as mere headaches. Her pregnancy with Brooklyn brought on more intense headaches which fortunately eased up post-delivery. Though, in 2020 when Liam came along, the headaches were worse and didn’t go away with time. Her health took a turn for the worse: - Difficulty holding Liam due to arm numbness - Extreme fatigue & dizziness - Near-fainting episodes - Nausea & vomiting - General weakness - Forgetfulness, memory loss & brain fog - Tremors - Debilitating migraines... and more! For years, despite multiple specialists and tests (which came back normal), she has struggled to find relief from these symptoms. The standard craniectomy surgery in the US just seemed too risky and daunting, and ultimately not a long-term cure as many patients end up having symptoms a year later. But then, she discovered the Institut Chiari & Siringomielia & Escoliosis de Barcelona! Their minimally invasive surgery offers a faster recovery time, fewer risks, and great testimonials from patients who experienced significant symptom improvement even a year later. This surgery is also not offered in the USA. So, this is where I need your help! I'm raising funds to help cover the costs of this life-changing surgery in Spain and any donation amount would mean so much to her and her family. Thank you for your support on this journey towards stopping the progression of Chelsea's Chiari! The overall cost is around $25,000 for the surgery and trip out of the States. Our initial goal is $5,000 and any donations are extremely appreciated. Let's conquer Chiari together! #ChiariWarrior #RoadToRecovery