Hi everyone,

We are reaching out today because our sweet 6-year-old son, Isaiah, has recently been facing some scary health challenges. For a while now, he has been struggling with frequent headaches and a lot of sensitivity to light. Lately, we’ve also noticed he’s been extra sensitive and crying more easily, something that we now know is likely due to the physical pressure he is feeling.

After a recent MRI, we received some answers that we weren't expecting. Isaiah has been diagnosed with a Chiari 1 Malformation. This means the back part of his brain is crowded and is dipping about 1.8 cm into his spinal canal. The doctors also found a "trace syrinx," which is a small fluid-filled pocket starting to form in his neck because of that pressure.

Our Next Steps

Because of the size of the malformation and his symptoms, we have been referred to the specialized pediatric neurosurgery team at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City.

While we aren't sure if surgery will be necessary yet, we know that the road ahead involves many trips to the city for specialized testing, including "Cine MRIs" to check his spinal fluid flow and thorough neurological exams.

How You Can Help

As we navigate this "wait and see" period and prepare for his upcoming specialist appointments, the costs are starting to add up. We are raising funds to help cover:

• Travel and Lodging: Gas and hotel stays for our trips from Lexington to Kansas City.

• Specialized Medical Care: Co-pays and out-of-pocket costs for neurosurgery consultations and advanced imaging.

• Support for Isaiah: Items to help manage his symptoms, like high-quality light-blocking glasses and recovery comforts.

• Family Stability: Helping us manage household needs as we take time away from work and school to get him to these critical appointments.

Any amount you can give, no matter how small, will go directly toward making sure Isaiah gets the best care possible so he can get back to just being a kid again.

If you aren’t able to donate, we completely understand. A share of this page or a prayer for our little boy means just as much to us.

Thank you so much for your love and support.

— The Husemann Family