This is incredibly hard to do.

Emma is a brave, bright, funny, and compassionate 12-year-old who lights up every room she walks into. She loves dancing, shopping, playing video games, and definitely her skin care. Until recently, she was enjoying life like any other child her age.

A few months ago, Emma began getting some neck pain and numbness in her arm. At that time, we removed her from dance figuring maybe she had a pinched nerve or something. She was referred to an orhtopedic, and we were told she has scolosis. After waiting months due to our insurance, we finally got her an MRI on August 2nd. We were immediately admitted to Advent Orlando Childrens Hospital. Our world was turned upside down when Emma was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, a serious condition where part of her brain pushes down into her spinal cord, causing her pain and arm numbness.

Her doctors have recommended a complex procedure called Posterior Vault Distraction Osteogenesis. We will be at Advent Health Orlando on Friday, August 15th, for her surgery. This surgery will create more space for her brain and relieve pressure, giving her the best chance to grow and live without pain. After this first surgery, she will have metal distractors in her skull, which the doctors will adjust daily with a key to help expand the space for her brain. Then, in three months, she’ll need another surgery to remove the hardware. While we’re grateful for the medical expertise available, the costs for surgery, hospital stays, follow-up care, and time away from work are overwhelming for our family. As you all know, how difficult it is for me to ask for help as I have always been the helper, but we are reaching out to friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers to help us to cover:

• Medical bills and expenses related to her surgery

• Household bills while I’m unable to work

• Hospital essentials to make our stay as comfortable as possible

• Food, since we will need to rely on hospital meals

• Unexpected expenses that will inevitably come up

Emma is incredibly brave, but she shouldn’t have to face this alone. Your support—whether through a donation or by sharing her story—means the world to us. Every bit of help brings us closer to seeing Emma laugh, play, and dream again without the weight of this illness on her shoulders.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping our girl get the care she needs.