Help my mother fight cerebellar atrophy and smile again

Help Bring Back My Mother’s Smile – Fighting Cerebellar Atrophy Together

Hello everyone,

My name is Yujeong, and I’m writing this with a heart full of love and hope for my mother, Miyoung.

Your support means hope, healing, and precious time together.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A few days ago, on Monday, April 21st, my world changed.

I found out that my mother has been battling a rare, progressive neurological disease called cerebellar atrophy

and she had kept it from me for over a year, trying to protect me from the burden.

For the past three years, my mother endured so much on her own.

She struggled with strange sensations and weakness in her dominant right hand, and walking became increasingly difficult.

At first, doctors misdiagnosed her symptoms as joint issues. She underwent surgery

but her condition only worsened.

Seeking answers, she went to another hospital and was again misdiagnosed, this time with nerve damage.

Over three painful years, she bravely endured five surgeries (two on her elbows and three on her knees), each time holding onto hope.

But none of them helped.

Finally, a year ago in 2024, she was properly diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy

but by then, so much time, energy, and hope had already been lost.

She shouldered the burden of endless tests, treatments, and loans all by herself

until she couldn’t bear it anymore and finally told me.

I was so busy living my own life that I failed to notice the pain she was hiding.

I hate myself for that.

Now, her condition has worsened:

• She can no longer safely go up or down stairs or ramps.

• She loses balance even when standing still without support.

• She can no longer write, eat properly, or manage simple daily tasks.

• The muscles around her left eyelid have also stopped functioning properly.

Hearing her diagnosis shattered me.

There is no known cure for cerebellar atrophy

and it terrifies me.

My mother means everything to me.

But even now, I believe.

I believe there is still hope.

I want to see my mother walk freely again.

I want to see her smile without pain.

I want to give her the happiest moments possible for as long as I can.

Why I’m Asking for Help

I gave everything I had all my savings of $40,000 to pay off my mother’s medical debts.

Today, my bank account has less than $100.

I’m working hard and will continue to do so, but realistically, I can’t handle the growing medical expenses alone.

Meanwhile, my younger sister is still in school.

My father’s business, hit hard by COVID-19, is only just beginning to recover.

Since my grandfather passed away last year, my father has also been supporting my ill grandmother.

Our family is trying with everything we have, but the financial burden is overwhelming.

More than anything, I want to spend precious time with my mother without the constant fear of money looming over us.

I promised her, “Trust me. I’ll take care of you.”

That is a promise I will never break.

When I think about how lonely, scared, and stressed she must have been, hiding her pain for so long just to protect us, my heart breaks.

Estimated Costs

• Ongoing health checkups (brain MRI, blood tests, genetic testing, etc.): up to $2,000 per checkup

• Medications (monthly): approximately $300 (including Citraline for cerebellar atrophy)

• Immunoglobulin injection treatment: approximately $2,000 for a 5-day course

About My Mother

My mother is one of the kindest and most selfless people I have ever known.

She spent her entire life putting others before herself

giving, loving, and caring without ever asking for anything in return.

We often think we have more time

more time to say “thank you,” to show love, to be there.

But life teaches us how fragile and precious time really is.

Please, hug your family today. Call your parents. Cherish every little moment you have together.

I started this fundraiser not just to cover medical bills

but to give my mother comfort, dignity, and hope.

I want her to know she no longer has to carry this burden alone.

I just want to see her smile again.

Thank you so much for reading our story and for caring.

Every donation, every share, every prayer

it all means the world to us.

I will keep you updated on my mother’s journey.

And one day soon, I hope to share a photo of her smiling again

Thanks to you.

With endless love and gratitude,

Yujeong

#CerebellarAtrophy #RareDisease

#MedicalFundraiser #HelpMyMother

#FamilySupport #HopeAndHealing

#NeurologicalDisease