Miss Ava An was born full term at a whopping 4lbs. 3 oz. NICU signed off for her to go home at 3 lbs. 14 oz. because while she was the size of a baby doll, she needed no intervention.

She is now turning 6 in September and weighs 27 lbs, sharing a size 3T clothing with her 3yo sister.

She is a vibrant, determined, energetic, brilliant young lady who loves music, dancing, jumping, any huge sensory movement, her four siblings, extended family, the outdoors, and is a tech whiz. Most recently, she figured out how to hop into a zoom meeting from my phone as I was hosting a meeting, and I even had a waiting room set up! I had to make a mad dash to find teen sister sitting with her and shut the meeting off while Ava's smile beamed and laughter filled the meeting. She's always up for an adventure and keeps us (literally) on our toes all day every day.

The last almost six years have been one continuous wild ride of joy, tears, learning, advocacy, and trial and error to support her best life.

Dad is in music ministry and teaches music lessons with a brilliant brain, and Mom has resigned her career in education to stay home and serve as chaos coordinator of a house of seven with five children ranging from 3 years old to first year in college, make and attend therapy appts, host home therapies, research, and school the toddlers.

From birth, Ava has worked so hard to achieve milestones in her own time, worked with Physical Therapists, Early Childhood Intervention Teams, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Ophthalmologists, Pediatricians, Holistic Doctors, Orofacial Myofunctional Specialists, has a Specialty Dentist, Chiropractors, Neurologists, and a hugely supportive family circle.

These medical members of Ava's circle have each held an important role in her story - each leading us to another along this journey.

Our next step is Neuro Solution in Austin, TX.

Dr. Brandon Crawford is a functional neurologist serving out God's call on his life to help families achieve what others deem impossible. His motto is, "Never say never."

Following his Instagram (@bcrawforddc) and listening to his podcast (The Longevity Formula), we have learned so much about brain plasticity and neurology.

The brain was designed to heal itself, and he has brought so many specialists and services under one roof - for more of my geek-out, research-junkie, nerdy details on his clinic - see below*

I've watched testimonials of stroke victims paralyzed for years start to move limbs, nonverbal children start to speak, children deemed "headed to the grave" by doctors because of twisted gut HEALED, leaving doctors stunned. These are miracles walking out of this clinic, and we want Ava to have her chance!

Ava has overcome many struggles in her short life, and she keeps on kicking. This gal is tiny, but mighty.

In 2025, we finally received back results from a deep dive into our genetics. Both parents' were normal readings, but Ava's results revealed she has an extremely rare chromosomal deletion! She is missing 90 genes off chromosome 15. Two most "important" or impactful include ACAN and CHD2.

These are the main culprits of almost all of Ava's diagnoses. They are commonly linked to smaller gestational weight, small stature, some people with these mutations or deletions stop growing entirely, global developmental delays, structural abnormalities, bone issues, lots of epilepsy (praise God Ava has not had any seizures and a recent EEG reveled normal brain wave activity), early onset arthritis, cognitive regression, intellectual disability, etc.

Dr. Crawford's team is suggesting a two-week intensive to kick start Ava's healing. Her medical intake appointment to be considered was $515, and each week intensive offers 18 hours of therapy with the whole team working with your child at a minimum of $9,500 per week. No insurance covers it. With a two week minimum to begin, we're looking at $20,000+ with travel, lodging, therapy, etc. Ongoing therapy, travel, and sessions, in-home care, etc. will just keep adding up. I don't bawk at the number because I see the value. I see the specialists who are all dedicating their time and services to our child. I see the effort they go to maintain and offer cutting edge technologies. Dr. Crawford has even designed the lasers they are using for photobiomodulation because nothing out there was cutting it. The waiting room is also full of other neurologists. When I say cutting edge, I mean it.

Our hope for Ava working with Dr. Crawford's team includes improvements to: her ability to speak (imagine her looking into your eyes and seeming trapped in her own body), healing her gut issues (which are tied to eczema, digestive issues, chronic constipation in the past, growth), maybe just maybe she will grow, healing any TBIs from her frequent hard falls, integrating all of her retained primitive reflexes which will allow her brain to continue to develop, reduce sensory sensitivities, detox from any chemical or environmental exposures, strengthen her gait, smooth out physical movements, and strengthen her bones.

This mountain is bigger than us. It's needier than my phone calls, grant applications, and working around the clock baking and serving at vendor markets.

With multiple, loving suggestions from people who know us and our story to start a GoFundMe, today I humble myself to admit when we come together to achieve a goal this mountainous, it will be to Ava's benefit. While we will never stop fighting for Ava and working so hard to provide what she needs (and all the other four children), striving alone, it would be a much slower process.

Her life waits for no one, and science proves the earlier the intervention, the better. I believe GOD WILL MAKE A WAY! If you've purchased a recipe book I wrote, purchased baked goods, or sent a donation, THANK YOU! YOU are part of Ava's story. Every one of you is noted in her journal, and we cannot thank you enough.

Recipe Book can be found at KristieDunn.com/family

If you're more comfortable giving directly through Venmo, you can @Kristie-PT.

*Neuro Solution houses: multiple functional neurologists, neurosurgeons, educational psychologists, chiropractors, pediatric occupational therapists, therasuit and irlen specialsts, and countless therapist technicians. Dr. Crawford's clinic offers light and sound therapies, softwave therapy, song laser activated plasma, a hyperbaric oxygen tank, ARRC LED bed therapy, extracellular vesicle treatments, primitive reflex integration, Vagus / Trigeminal Nerve Rehab, TheraSuit, BioCharger, NeuroSage, Whole Body Vibration.

Again, thank you so much for consideration to pour into the life of a beautiful, vibrant young girl with so much life left to live!

Thank you for pouring into our family as we trust God has her best in His capable hands and plans for a bright future for her and our family. May He bless you tenfold.

If you feel comfortable, we would sincerely appreciate you sharing this on all your socials as well so it can spread as big and wide as God will allow.

Warmly and most sincerely,

Anthony & Kristie

Ava's parents