Hello, my name is Britney and I am the mother of Olivia Grace. As of March 2026, I found out that my sweet Olivia Grace was diagnosed with Chiari malformation 1. She has had the condition her whole life but it went under diagnosed for 15 years. Ever since she was about 6 or 7 years old, she always suffered with severe migraines and neurological issues. We were always back and forth with Neurology for many years, but never could pinpoint what was wrong with her. Finally, last month, we had another appointment with Nemours neurology and I just finally had to be an advocate for her and ask for an MRI with contrast to be done on her brain. This was performed back in March 2026, and this is where neurology discovered that she had a skull malformation. (This is congenital and happened at birth) They then ordered an MRI of her spine because this can also cause issues on the spinal cord. They did an MRI on her spinal cord and it came back that she has a Syrinx from C4 to T 3 and it is largest at C7 measuring 12 mm and her spine now has caused her to be in a immediate surgical status because her spine now has spinal syringomyelia if surgery is not performed, she can later have permanent neurology damage, paralysis and scoliosis. Early intervention needs to be done now so that she can live a healthy and fulfilling life. Surgery is not guaranteed and there is no cure for Chiari malformation 1, however, the surgery is to have a main focus of decompression of the brain and allowing her spinal fluid to start flowing properly the way it needs to. Due to the fluid-filled cyst on her spine (syrinx), her spinal fluid is not flowing correctly, hence is why there is a syrinx. She suffers with terrible migraines, vomiting, eye pain, limb numbness in arms and legs, problems breathing at night and swallowing food and sleep apnea. She is sceduled to have surgery at nemours in Jacksonville June of 2026. I will be having to take some time off of work to be able to stay with her at the hospital and be with her at home for awhile to help her with recovery. It's a pretty invasive surgery and takes 6 to 12 months to completely heal. I am going to need all the help I can get as a single mom. I have my own cleaning service and I will have to put my homes on hold while in the hospital with Olivia until I can return. Most of my clients have been very understanding and supportive. We need help with funds to purchase an adjustable bed for positioning and compfort, gas while driving to Jacksonville to attend numerous appointments, hotel stays and finances to help sustain us while im out of work temporarily so we have money to pay bills while Im by her side at the hospital and at home. I will also be the only one caring for my daughter because I have nobody else to fulfill that role. I am the only source of income in my household. Any help/donations would truly be a blessing to us. This is a very trying time right now and was so unexpected. Please keep Olivia in your prayers, as she is going to need to be a warrior. Here is some details of what her diagnosis means:

Chiari I malformation is a structural defect where the lower part of the brain (cerebellar tonsils) extends into the upper spinal canal because the skull base is too small or misshapen. Often congenital, it is the most common type, frequently diagnosed in teens/adults when it causes headaches, neck pain, or neurological issues due to compressed spinal fluid.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Psalm 139:13-14 affirms that God "knits together" individuals in the womb, a promise often cited to show that people with birth defects are intentionally created and valued by God.

Thank you everyone for your support Olivia says thank you ❤️