Hi, my name is Adriana, and I’m raising funds for my younger sister, Ilaria.

Watching Ilaria go through recent medical challenges has been the hardest thing I’ve had to do as her sister. Her life has recently been turned upside down by a rare and complex set of conditions.

On February 19, 2024, Ilaria had a spinal cord stimulator surgically implanted at the top of her spine. This device was meant to help with her CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) — a painful nerve condition she developed after breaking the tendons on her hand. We all hoped it would give her some relief and allow her to live with less limitation.

What none of us knew then was that Ilaria also had undiagnosed tethered cord, Craniocervical Instability (CCI), and Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI). These are rare and complex conditions where the spinal cord is too tight, and the upper spine and skull are unstable.

When the doctor placed the stimulator, it was like adding weight and tension to an already fragile, unstable system. Instead of helping, the surgery caused a cascade of complications. Her spinal cord, already tethered and stretched, was pulled even tighter. Instability in her neck (CCI and AAI) worsened under the stress and the result was direct spinal cord injury. The nerves controlling her legs, bladder, bowels, and even her vision were damaged.

It felt like overnight, Ilaria went from someone who could still walk short distances with a crutch to someone who now can no longer walk, has lost bladder and bowel control, is losing her vision, and lives in constant pain.

The stimulator was meant to give her back function in her hand. Instead, it left her with a much bigger loss: her independence, her mobility, and now her basic bodily functions.

Now, her only hope is a specialized neurosurgery to release the tethered cord, relieving the dangerous tension on her spinal cord, stabilize her neck and skull, stopping the compression of her brainstem and spinal cord, and prevent further spinal cord injury and vision loss before more damage becomes permanent. Without it, she will continue to lose more mobility, permanent vision loss, and even more independence than what has already been taken. With it, she has the chance to stop the decline and maybe, one day, walk again.

The specialized neurosurgery that she needs is not covered by insurance. Between surgery, travel, and recovery, the costs are overwhelming—estimated at $95,000

Every donation, no matter how small, brings Ilaria closer to this life-changing surgery. If you aren’t able to give, please consider sharing her story so that it reaches more hearts and hands.