On Tuesday May 11th 2021 our family received fateful news that any expecting parent dreads hearing: our baby has a birth defect. Spina bifida myelomeningocele, a rare neural tube defect that causes baby's spine to not fuse properly which results in their spinal cord, nerves, and spinal fluid to pool outside of the spinal column. Common issues with this include paralysis, ambulatory, and developmental difficulties.

The prognosis for this condition varies depending on treatment but is not entirely grim for us. The best option we've researched and been given is to have prenatal surgery to correct the defect. Unfortunately this is no run of the mill procedure and as such is not even performed in our state, Arizona. Depending on the results of further testing the specialist has ordered for us we may have the option of going to either California, Texas, or Colorado for surgery, any of which would necessitate our stay there until delivery to monitor the condition of baby and mother. As a single income family this is not an easy task however.

The purpose of this fundraiser is to help with costs that will be incurred as part of the treatment of our soon to be son; travel to wherever we are able to have the procedure completed, food and lodging there during the rest of the pregnancy, and for care after birth. I know there is a sea of worthy causes on here and not every fundraiser can end in success but it is my hope that if reading this far you can help ours to be one of those stories. Anything that can be spared is a blessing to us and to our unborn son.

Thank you.