Support Eli's Battle with Bertolotti Syndrome

Help 12-Year-Old Eli Get the Life-Changing Surgery She Desperately Needs

For the past seven months, my daughter, Eli has been suffering from chronic pain. It first started out with pain in her knee and after months of physical therapy she wasn't getting better. We took her to see a pediatric orthopedic doctor at Lurie's and that is where she was diagnosed with Bertolotti Syndrome. Bertolotti Syndrome is a rare spinal disorder that causes intense, chronic pain due to abnormal bone growth in the lower spine. Less than 8% of the US population have this condition. It’s a condition that most people have never heard of — but for Eli, it’s now something she faces every single day.

Eli is a vibrant, funny, and kind-hearted 12-year-old girl who loves to cheer, laugh, and hang out with her friends. She used to spend her afternoons tumbling, riding her bike around the neighborhood, and choreographing silly dances in her bedroom with her older sister.

But recently, Eli’s joyful, active world came to a halt.

Bertolotti Syndrome has made even the simplest tasks feel impossible for Eli. Walking to class, standing for more than a few minutes, even sitting still can cause sharp, unrelenting pain. She’s had to stop playing sports, miss school days, and sit on the sidelines while her friends enjoy the childhood she used to be part of.

Despite it all, Eli remains hopeful. She’s still smiling. Still dreaming. Still fighting.

After months of searching for a specialist we found a wonderful doctor out of the Virginia Spine Institute in Reston, Virginia. He has confirmed that Eli is a strong candidate for spinal surgery — a procedure that would remove the abnormal bone growth, relieve her pain, and give her a real shot at getting her life back.

But like so many families, we are facing the heavy burden of medical expenses not fully covered by insurance. The total cost of surgery, post-operative care, physical therapy, and travel to a specialist facility is $25,000.

As her parents, we will do whatever it takes to help our daughter Eli return to the life she misses — riding her bike, cheering without pain, and just being a kid again. It is with a humble heart that we are asking for your help. With your support, we can make her dream of being a kid again reality.

Please consider donating, sharing her story, or simply sending your love and prayers. Every bit of support counts.

#FightWithEli #BertolottiSyndromeAwareness #EliStrong #HelpEliHeal

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you.

Tom and Susan Farmer