I never imagined I would be in a position where I needed to ask for help, but as a parent, you do whatever it takes for your child. My daughter Starr is 14 years old and has always been full of energy, especially as an all-star cheerleader. Last year, our world changed when she was diagnosed with Chiari malformation, a serious condition that required decompression brain surgery in January.

Unfortunately, after her surgery, Starr’s symptoms became even more severe. She now struggles daily with nausea, dizziness, migraines, blurred vision, weakness, and chronic pain. She was also diagnosed with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS), which has forced her to leave school and begin homeschooling because she was missing so many days due to her illness. Watching her go through this has been heartbreaking, and as a parent, it’s incredibly hard to see your child in pain and feel helpless.

We have learned that the Chiari Malformation Center at Johns Hopkins in Florida is the only place that can offer starr the specialized surgery she needs to get better. The costs of traveling from Texas to Florida, including plane tickets, hotel, and transportation for a week-long stay, are overwhelming for our family. I am reaching out to our community for support—any help, no matter how small, will make a difference and bring us one step closer to giving starr the care she desperately needs. Thank you for reading our story and for considering helping us on this journey.