Hello everyone! My name is Courtney, I’m 23 years old and I was diagnosed with something called Chiari Malformation earlier this year. This diagnoses has been really hard on me, being 23 and hearing you need brain surgery is something you never expect to hear. But you take what life gives you, roll with the punches and grow from it!
Chiari Malformation is “a problem in which a part of the brain (the cerebellum) at the back of the skull bulges through a normal opening in the skull where it joins the spinal canal. This puts pressure on parts of the brain and spinal cord.” I am scheduled to undergo decompression surgery in September, which happens to be Chiari Awareness Month, to remove the bone at the back of the skull and spine, and open the dura Mater. The dura overlying the cerebral tonsils is opened and a patch is sewn to expand the space, similar to letting out the waistband on a pair of pants. The goals of surgery are “to stop or control the progression of symptoms caused by tonsillar herniation, to relieve compression of the brainstem and spinal cord, and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).” The surgery takes about 2 to 3 hours and recovery in the hospital usually lasts 2 to 7 days! 
I have been on my own supporting myself since I was 18 years old. My parents are loving and supportive, but they aren’t able to help my financially. Luckily, the insurance I have will cover most of the surgery, but I still need about 3,000 to cover the surgery and hospital stay.
it is hard for me to ask for help, but I really need it for this life changing surgery. Prayers are accepted if you aren’t able to help financially. I am so grateful for this platform to tell my story! I will keep posting updates, and I am here to answer questions!
thank you so much ❤️