In 2017, Genavieve’s life was forever changed when she was involved in a severe car accident. She was stopped at a red light when another driver struck her from behind at 45–50 mph, pushing her into the truck in front of her. This traumatic event resulted in multiple surgeries to her shoulder, hip, and sternoclavicular joint. Before the accident, she was a healthy, active teenager. None of us could have imagined just how profoundly this event would affect her life.

Since then, Genavieve has been on a relentless journey to understand the intense pain and numerous other symptoms she faces daily, seeking answers and healing. In 2018, she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a debilitating condition that has made it difficult for her to work or maintain a normal life. Some days, she feels okay; other days, the pain is so overwhelming she can’t get out of bed. This has taken a toll not only on her physical and emotional well-being but also on her financial stability and her ability to enjoy the everyday milestones of young adulthood.

In 2024, her symptoms began to worsen. She experienced frequent headaches, blackouts, and other alarming issues, prompting a neurologist to perform additional brain scans. The results revealed a 7 cm herniation of her cerebellar tonsils. Determined to find answers, Genevieve began researching and suspected she might have Chiari malformation. With the support of her family and friends, she connected with specialists at Johns Hopkins, where her condition was confirmed. Knowing how severe her symptoms had become, the team quickly scheduled her for surgery.

On November 25, Genavieve underwent a decompression craniotomy, during which the surgeon removed part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain. While performing the surgery, they discovered additional bone ridges near her C1 vertebra that were compressing her dura, the membrane surrounding the brain. These were also removed to improve her condition.

Genevieve is now recovering in the hospital. Although she wants to return home, her doctors recommend staying longer to ensure proper healing and transitioning to an inpatient rehabilitation program for 7–14 days to regain strength and independence. Her medical team is working to manage her pain and stabilize her blood pressure during this critical recovery period.

When Genavieve does return home, she will require someone to be with her at all times to assist with daily activities and ensure her safety. I, Brittany, will be able to help as much as I can, but I also need to work to help provide for our household and care for my two children, who have their own activities and schedules. This means we’ll need additional support from others to stay with Genevieve when I can’t be there, adding another layer of complexity and financial strain to our situation.

To improve her quality of life and independence after recovery, Genavieve may also need a service dog to assist with tasks and provide emotional and physical support. Her beloved dog, Pepper, would be the perfect candidate, but the cost of specialized training alone is $4,500. Financial assistance will be needed to help fund this training, which could make an extraordinary difference in Genevieve’s daily life.

This journey has brought overwhelming financial challenges. Genavieve is unable to work for at least two months, and since she doesn’t live in Baltimore, she doesn’t qualify for Medicaid. Medical bills are piling up, and she still has her everyday living expenses to manage.

We have created a GoFundMe to help raise funds, but if you’d prefer to donate through another platform to ensure Genavieve receives the full amount, we also accept contributions through Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, or Zelle. These methods go directly to us without any platform fees, making a greater impact on Genavieve’s recovery and care.

Genavieve is not someone who asks for help easily, but the weight of these expenses has become impossible to bear alone. She could use the support of those around her now more than ever. Any assistance—whether through financial contributions, volunteering time to help, prayers, or words of encouragement—would mean the world to her as she works toward healing and reclaiming her life.