Join Elizabeth in Her Recovery from Surgery Journey

Our dear friend Elizabeth Morales is facing a challenging time as she recovers from brain and spine surgery, and she needs our support. Elizabeth has always been a passionate advocate for education. She began her career in public education at Andrews Elementary in Austin, TX. In 2022, Elizabeth began pursuing a master’s degree in Public Affairs at the LBJ School at UT Austin. However, during her time at LBJ, her health began to decline. She experienced frequent, severe migraines and debilitating nausea. Last fall she learned she would need major surgery to alleviate these symptoms.

Here's what Elizabeth has shared about her story:

In October 2024, I underwent brain and spine surgery for a Chiari malformation , a neurological disorder that has completely changed my life. This condition caused my brain to slip into my spinal canal, creating a cerebrospinal fluid blockage and leaving me with little to no fluid in my head.

I needed brain and spine surgery to relieve pressure on my spinal cord and restore cerebrospinal fluid flow. The journey leading up to that moment, and everything since, has been filled with pain, fear, and countless challenges.

Two years ago, my symptoms began with debilitating headaches. Over time, things worsened. I started losing my balance, my ability to walk, and even my speech. At my lowest, I was in a wheelchair, struggling to stand or move my head, unsure if I’d live or ever get my life back.

After surgery, I had to re-learn how to walk and talk. Recovery has been a slow, uphill battle. I still can’t work or drive and I rely on regular physical and vision therapy, occupational therapy, and follow-ups with my neurosurgeon, neurologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, and interventional pain medicine physician. Just recently, I graduated from speech therapy and began an adaptive driving program—a small victory in a long journey.

Right now, I need help covering basic living costs while I continue to heal so I can focus on recovery and getting back to some sense of normalcy.

The good news is that Elizabeth's health is on the upswing! She is making progress, but her recovery is ongoing. At the moment, she is unable to drive or return to work full-time. While her community of friends and family have stepped up to support her, she needs additional help to stay afloat during this critical healing period. Elizabeth’s resilience and determination have always inspired those around her, but now she needs our help. As she focuses on her recovery, the financial burden of medical expenses and lost income is growing.

If you’re able to contribute, any amount will make a meaningful difference in her journey. If you’re unable to donate, sharing her story can help spread the word. Thank you for reading.