Stand with Genny: Surgery for Chiari

**Help Genny Heal: Support for Our Daughter’s Brain Surgery**

We wanted to share something very personal happening in our family, and ask for your prayers, love, and support. A few weeks ago, our 15-year-old daughter, Genny, began experiencing numbness in her arm and back, severe headaches, and even fainted. We thought it might be migraines or something minor, but after a precautionary MRI, we received news that turned our world upside down.

Genny has been diagnosed with a serious brain condition called **Chiari Malformation**. To give perspective: the threshold for concern is a 5mm herniation. Genny’s is 15mm—three times that level—putting significant pressure on her brainstem and spinal cord. She also has a syrinx (a fluid-filled cavity in her spinal cord) stretching through much of her spine and causing it to expand.

Because of the urgency, we were fast-tracked to a pediatric neurosurgeon. Surgery is now scheduled for **June 30**. As you can imagine, this has brought a lot of unexpected challenges and expenses for our family, from medical bills to unexpected time off work. 

We’ve walked a similar road before with Jennifer’s brain surgery, so this brings up a lot of emotion—fear, anxiety, and stress—but also immense gratitude. We’re thankful we caught this early and have a plan. Left untreated, this could have led to permanent damage. We truly feel God’s hand in all of this.

Our focus now is helping Genny heal and get back to her life and school. Some of our summer plans have changed—the new mission is supporting her recovery. We’re hoping to sneak in a short family getaway before surgery, just a few days to laugh, breathe, and make memories together.

**How You Can Help**

We would be so grateful for your prayers, love, and positive thoughts as we walk this road with Genny. If you feel led to help financially, your support would mean the world to us and help ease the burden during this difficult time.

Thank you for being part of our village.

With love and gratitude,

Christopher and Jennifer Vos