Jamison's Fight
Donation protected
Hi Everyone:
As some of you know, my cousin Krystal Van and her family have been fighting one of the toughest battles I've ever seen. Their oldest son, Jamison, is just five years old and has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called Chiari 1 Malformation.
This basically means that part of Jamison's brain is herniating on his spinal cord. The Chiari has also caused his spinal cord to tether as well as other complications including Intercranial Hypertension, Venous Stenosis and Cerebrovascular Disease. This causes him lots of pain and is starting to have an effect on his mobility and vision.
Jamison has been seeing specialists in New York City. So far he's had several surgeries to try and bring him some comfort, including receiving two stents in order to try and relieve some of the pressure on his brain. Unfortunately, Jamison keeps having more and more complications as the disorder keeps progressing. He was back in New York in September/October and the doctors have found damage to his leg and arm from the small strokes the complications cause. We hope this will finally give him the relief he desperately needs. If not, he will head back to New York to receive a shunt in the Spring in an effort to get the fluid out of there.
As you can imagine the emotional and financial stress of his treatments have wreaked havoc on the Van Family. Between the treatments itself, travel expenses and lodging while in New York for extended periods of time the costs have become insurmountable.
If you know anything about Krystal and her family in general, it's that they are not the type of people to ask for help, even when it is desperately needed. However, I have made the decision that it's time to ask for some help.
Now, a little about Jamison. Jamison is the sweetest and funniest little boy and deserves a pain free life and to live carefree like every other five year old. "Chubbs" as he is sometimes called, recently started 4K and demands he wears a tie every day because he needs to "look good for his teacher." He likes going because he gets to see his friends and "eat snacks right inside his classroom." Unfortunately, he can't go back to school as he can't afford any accidents to his head, or cuts considering his blood thinners.
Jamison also desperately wants to be a police officer when he "gets big." His biggest hero is his uncle Earl who happens to be a Sargent in the New London police force. While in New York the last time, some nice NYPD officers caught wind of his love of the badge and showered him with gifts and love. His story has gone so far that some police officers in Australia sent up some goodies from down under. The NYPD even threw him a birthday party in September as he spent his 5th birthday in New York.
I know Krystal, Tommy and the rest of the Van Family would like to express their deepest and most sincere gratitude to NYPD, the Ronald McDonald House and everyone else who has already helped them in their time of need. However, if there is anything else you or someone you know could contribute to help them financially I know they would greatly appreciate it.
Even if it's only a couple bucks, I know we can make this happen. Again, your help is sincerely appreciated by our entire family.
Sincerely,
Abigail Ruckdashel
As some of you know, my cousin Krystal Van and her family have been fighting one of the toughest battles I've ever seen. Their oldest son, Jamison, is just five years old and has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called Chiari 1 Malformation.
This basically means that part of Jamison's brain is herniating on his spinal cord. The Chiari has also caused his spinal cord to tether as well as other complications including Intercranial Hypertension, Venous Stenosis and Cerebrovascular Disease. This causes him lots of pain and is starting to have an effect on his mobility and vision.
Jamison has been seeing specialists in New York City. So far he's had several surgeries to try and bring him some comfort, including receiving two stents in order to try and relieve some of the pressure on his brain. Unfortunately, Jamison keeps having more and more complications as the disorder keeps progressing. He was back in New York in September/October and the doctors have found damage to his leg and arm from the small strokes the complications cause. We hope this will finally give him the relief he desperately needs. If not, he will head back to New York to receive a shunt in the Spring in an effort to get the fluid out of there.
As you can imagine the emotional and financial stress of his treatments have wreaked havoc on the Van Family. Between the treatments itself, travel expenses and lodging while in New York for extended periods of time the costs have become insurmountable.
If you know anything about Krystal and her family in general, it's that they are not the type of people to ask for help, even when it is desperately needed. However, I have made the decision that it's time to ask for some help.
Now, a little about Jamison. Jamison is the sweetest and funniest little boy and deserves a pain free life and to live carefree like every other five year old. "Chubbs" as he is sometimes called, recently started 4K and demands he wears a tie every day because he needs to "look good for his teacher." He likes going because he gets to see his friends and "eat snacks right inside his classroom." Unfortunately, he can't go back to school as he can't afford any accidents to his head, or cuts considering his blood thinners.
Jamison also desperately wants to be a police officer when he "gets big." His biggest hero is his uncle Earl who happens to be a Sargent in the New London police force. While in New York the last time, some nice NYPD officers caught wind of his love of the badge and showered him with gifts and love. His story has gone so far that some police officers in Australia sent up some goodies from down under. The NYPD even threw him a birthday party in September as he spent his 5th birthday in New York.
I know Krystal, Tommy and the rest of the Van Family would like to express their deepest and most sincere gratitude to NYPD, the Ronald McDonald House and everyone else who has already helped them in their time of need. However, if there is anything else you or someone you know could contribute to help them financially I know they would greatly appreciate it.
Even if it's only a couple bucks, I know we can make this happen. Again, your help is sincerely appreciated by our entire family.
Sincerely,
Abigail Ruckdashel
Organizer
Abigail Ruckdashel
Organizer
Verona, WI
