Help Maria Through Her Unexpected Neurosurgical Journey ❤️

If you know Maria, you know a little girl who is funny, loving, strong-willed, and full of life. What no one could have imagined was how quickly an ordinary day would turn into one of the most terrifying experiences their family has ever faced.

Without warning, Maria suddenly screamed that her head hurt. Within minutes, she began losing consciousness and became unresponsive. An ambulance rushed her to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where imaging confirmed every parent's worst fear: Maria was suffering from a brain bleed.

Doctors determined that the bleeding was caused by an abnormal collection of blood vessels in her brain known as an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. The specific type and location of Maria’s AVM is unfortunately rare, affecting an estimated 1 in 2 million children diagnosed with AVMs. This is something she was born with that we had absolutely no idea was there until it ruptured.

Maria has already undergone her first procedure so her doctors could identify and map the abnormality and determine the safest way to treat it. Unfortunately, we learned that the road ahead will be longer than we had hoped. With the rarity of her AVM the doctors are taking time to plan the complex surgeries ahead. Her medical team has told us that she will require two additional surgeries back to back to address the AVM, followed by whatever recovery, rehabilitation, therapy, and continued neurological care she may need.

Perhaps one of the hardest parts for our family to comprehend is that this is not Maria's first journey with a neurological condition she unknowingly had from birth.

“When Maria was just three months old, she was diagnosed with spina bifida occulta. She ultimately underwent neurosurgery approximately eight years ago to correct her tethered spinal cord and remove a piece of her tailbone. At the time, our family simply put our heads down and did whatever needed to be done. Looking back, we probably should have allowed people to help us then, but we were young, overwhelmed, and honestly somewhat blind to the magnitude of what we were dealing with.

We never imagined that eight years later we would once again be sitting beside Maria in a hospital, hearing doctors explain that our daughter has another neurological abnormality. She was born with one that we never knew existed until now.

And this time, we know enough to understand that the impact of something like this extends far beyond the hospital room.”

That is why friends of the family have asked to create this GoFundMe for Maria and her family.

While insurance will cover portions of Maria's medical care, there are many expenses it simply does not cover. The funds raised will help ease the financial burden associated with Maria's hospitalization and the long road ahead, including out-of-pocket medical and surgical expenses, deductibles and copays, rehabilitation and therapy, medications and follow-up care, travel and daily expenses associated with essentially living at the hospital, time away from work, support for Maria's siblings while her parents remain by her side, and other unexpected expenses that arise throughout her recovery.

Right now, there is no way to know exactly what the coming weeks and months will look like.

What we do know is that Maria has already shown everyone around her just how incredibly strong she is. She faced her first procedure with more courage than anyone should ever have to ask of a child, and even through the fear and uncertainty, pieces of our silly, sweet Maria continue to shine through.

Her parents' only focus right now should be exactly where it is: on Maria, on getting her through the next two surgeries safely, and on helping her heal.

For anyone who has already called, texted, brought food, helped with the children, sat with the family, shared Maria's story, placed her name on a prayer list, offered a Mass, or simply stopped what they were doing to pray for this little girl, please know that it has meant more than words could ever express.

If you are able to contribute financially, any amount will help give this family some breathing room as they navigate an incredibly uncertain road. If donating isn't possible, sharing Maria's story and continuing to pray for her is equally appreciated.

Please pray for Maria's surgeons and medical team. Pray that every procedure goes exactly as planned. Pray for complete healing and recovery. Pray for peace in Maria's heart as she faces additional surgeries. And pray for strength for her parents and family as they walk beside her.

Eight years ago, this family watched their little girl undergo neurosurgery for something she had unknowingly been born with.

They never dreamed they would have to do it again.

But Maria will not walk this road alone. ❤️

She has her family beside her, an incredible medical team caring for her, and an army of people loving, supporting, and praying for her every step of the way.

Thank you for helping us surround Maria and her family with love during the fight ahead. ❤️