Help baby Bella fix her skull!

On behalf of our family we are asking for help to get Bella a new skull for her first birthday.

Bella was recently diagnosed with a rare condition known as Sagittal Craniosynostosis, which occurs when the bones in a baby’s skull fuse prematurely.  At birth, a baby’s skull is made up of several separate bones with growth plates (also called sutures) in between. Typically, these sutures allow the brain to continue to grow and expand during the first few years of a baby’s life. Unfortunately, Bella’s sagittal sutures have fused too early. When this happens, the bones put pressure on the brain, keeping it from growing normally and possibly leading to developmental delays and facial deformities.

Bella will soon be having “open craniosynostosis with distractors repair surgery” from the amazing surgical team at Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC). During Bella’s challenging recovery she will need to have her distractors turned every few days by her parents, Tahlia and Omar, and big sister Ariel in order to expand her skull and allow for normal growth. Once this process is complete Bella will require a second surgery to remove the distractors from her skull.

Tahlia and Omar are working as much as possible in between doctor visits up until the day of the surgery in order to allow as much paid time off as possible post-surgery. While they both focus their energies on getting Bella through surgery and recovery, we’ve stepped in and created this campaign to help bring them some relief from the financial pressures they are facing.

As we reach out to for your help, we ask that you please consider a donation of any size to help Bella and her family get through these difficult times. Between co-payments, hospital stays, deductibles, and prescription costs, the medical bills will add up fast. Our goal is to provide them with as much help as possible, so their sole focus can be on helping Bella recover.

Bella is a bright young child full of so much potential! Her giggles warm our hearts while her curiosity of the world around her is a treat for everyone to watch. This little girl is so full of sass, just like her mom and tough as nails, just like dad. She has such a big personality, that we know she is a force to be reckoned with. If anyone can be a superstar and champion through this journey, it’s Bella!  Those of you who know Tahlia and Omar know they work so hard for their family and everything they do is for their girls, Bella and Ariel.

Bella turns one on November 8, and while she may not be celebrating with a party, our family is asking you to help get her something so much more. Please help Bella get a new skull for her birthday - so that she may go on and lead the amazing life she was sent here for!

Thank you in advance for helping Bella so that she may continue being a bright light in this world. Please share this story with others who may be moved to help.