Julia's brain and back surgeries

Story

This fundraiser is being set up on behalf of the sweetest little girl you ever did meet... Julia Coble. Julia was born with scoliosis that only recently has gotten much more severe (impacting lung function, freedom of movement and contributing to a host of secondary issues). Her mom and dad (Jennifer and Chris) recently had her evaluated by a team of experts at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital where they unfortunately also discovered that in addition to very severe scoliosis she also has a Chiari malformation (type I) with extensive syringomyelia extending the entire length of her spinal cord. SCOLIOSIS is an abnormal curvature of the spine. It ranges from mild to severe, based on the degree of the curve. Mild scoliosis is between 10-25 degrees and usually doesn't require medical intervention. Moderate scoliosis is between 25-45 degrees and is usually treated with a brace. Severe scoliosis is greater than 45 degrees and requires surgical intervention. (Learn more about scoliosis HERE) A CHIARI MALFORMATION is a condition in which a part of the brain bulges through the normal opening in the base of the skull. (Learn more about chiari malformations HERE) SYRINGOMYELIA is a neurological disorder in which a fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) forms within the spinal cord. The syrinx can get big enough to damage the spinal cord and compress and injure the nerve fibers that carry information to and from the brain to the body. (Learn more about syringomyelia HERE ) Julia will need MULTIPLE brain/back surgeries in order to correct these issues. Her medical team has told Jennifer it's imperative the chiari malformation and syringomyelia are corrected first and then Julia can have the extensive surgery needed to fix her scoliosis. It's really important the chiari/syringomyelia surgery happens AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because her scoliosis will continue to get worse the longer the delay in having that surgery is. I am setting this up on behalf of myself (sorry for the late intro; I'm Jennifer's SIL and Carl's wife: Jessie) and Jennifer's brother Carl. We wanted to set this fundraiser up because Jennifer and Chris are hardworking, independent and dedicated parents who we know are crushed at the thought of needing to ask for help; but we also know they'd do anything necessary to help their only daughter. The funds raised here will go exclusively to Julia's medical bills. These are two large operations that have to happen in quick succession, leaving Jennifer and Chris very little time to prepare the financials. I will provide updates on Julia's medical journey. The first update will be a personal letter from Jennifer delving into Julia's medical backstory and describing this special girl in a way only a mother's love can. ANY donation helps. Truly. I know of no two parents who deserve this more than Chris and Jennifer. Jennifer particularly has a special place in my heart for the love and support she's provided Carl throughout his life and in particularly very recently, helping us through a huge and unexpected health emergency Carl's gone through recently. Thank you all in advance for your love and support. Julia, Jen and Chris will be forever grateful.