Support Hadley's Chiari Malformation Surgery

Hadley is a a spunky, happy, full of life 7 year old, who was in a minor car accident in November. She started complaining about headaches and neck pain. Her doctor ended up ordering an mri of her neck to see what was going on and incidentally found out that she was born with Chiari Malformation. Chiari (pronounced key-are-ee) Malformation is a brain abnormality that causes the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls coordination and muscle movement, to protrude into the space normally occupied by the spinal cord. Chiari malformation sometimes happens because the space at the back of the skull, where the cerebellum sits above the spine, is too small or is unusually shaped. The pressure caused by Chiari malformation on the cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord can keep them from working correctly. It can also block the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and protects them from injury. When CSF doesn’t flow properly, it can build up in the brain and spinal cord and block communication of the brain’s messages to the body and lead to multiple symptoms. Hadley has a huge syrinx (cyst) collection of spinal fluid caused by the chiari growing in her spine causing the headaches, backaches, chest pain, weakness in her left leg, and the start of scoliosis. After having a bunch of updated mri’s of her brain and entire spine. Hadley’s pediatric neurosurgeon told them that she will need a brain surgery to help correct the problem as much as possible and to get rid of the syrinx. Hadley is scheduled to have Sub occipital Craniectomy with cervical One aminectony for Chiari Decompression on March 13th in Orlando.

The financial burden of Hadley's surgery and eight-week recovery will be substantial for her parents, with significant out-of-pocket costs and lost wages. A donation of any size will make a real difference, allowing them to focus on Hadley's care and their own emotional recovery without added financial pressure.