Kinley is a beautiful, bright, determined, and incredibly brave 2-year-old. She was born prematurely and diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) - a type of brain injury that affects motor control - during her 81-day NICU stay. At 15 months old, she was officially diagnosed with spastic triplegic cerebral palsy as a result of that early brain injury.

Kinley has been in therapy since birth - working on the things we often take for granted: head control, sitting, crawling, standing, and now taking steps with assistance. Every milestone has taken hard work, determination, and a whole lot of heart. Her grit, joy, and unstoppable spirit continue to inspire everyone around her.

One of Kinley's biggest challenges is spasticity caused by disrupted signals from her brain. In her case, her leg muscles are constantly tight, like they're stuck in "on" mode. It makes movement harder, balance more difficult, and walking incredibly tiring. If left untreated, it can also lead to pain, joint damage, and loss of mobility over time.

Kinley has been evaluated and accepted for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy this coming October with the incredible neurosurgery team at St. Louis Children's Hospital. This surgery targets the spasticity in her legs by identifying and cutting select sensory nerve rootlets in the spinal cord that are sending abnormal signals. By reducing that spasticity, SDR gives Kinley a chance to move more freely, reduce long-term complications, and possibly walk more independently.

Luke and Chelsea have faced many financial challenges associated with Kinley's care and will be faced with many more including travel and lodging for her out-of-state surgery and follow-up appointments, specialized equipment, and intensive therapy. She will need PT 4-5 times per week for the first 6-12 months, then likely 2-4 times a week for several years in Omaha. There will be many miles of driving back and forth as well as much time off work.

SDR isn't a cure - but it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to significantly improve Kinley's mobility, comfort, and independence. This isn't just a medical procedure - it's an opportunity to change the course of Kinley's life.

We hope that you will join us in supporting the McDonoughs and help give Kinley the best chance at a full and active life!