Help for the Moncrief family
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
First of all I would just like to thank everyone out there who are willing to give money in support of those who have gone through some sort of tragedy, or just for people who are in hard times and need a little help. It is so wonderful how many peoples lives you change and how much you help make the world a better place.
My name is Nathan Moncrief. I am a 19 year old who recently moved out of the house and I am working to save up money to go to college. I am the 4th child of 6, and the product of two of the greatest parents anyone could ever ask for. My mother is a school teacher at a charter school that she helped set up, and she has been there for almost 10 years. She is probably one of, if not the most, invested teacher I've ever met and absolutely loves the kids in her school. My father is a landscaper, and someone who gives to others and helps everyone else out first before worrying about himself. And then there is my sweet sister Brianna who this campaign is really focused on helping. And to explain why I need to go back a little ways.
Brianna was a normal 17 year old enjoying life and high school when one day while at the beach camping, she tried to pick up a flashlight and found that it was too heavy. At first we thought she was joking or trying to have a laugh, but as the days went on her strength rapidly began to deteriorate, and soon she got to the point where she struggled to even pick up a fork to feed herself. When we went to the doctors they ran all the tests, but couldn't tell us what was wrong. And then one day we got the unfortunate news that Brianna was suffering from something called a Chiari Malformation.
At first we had no idea what that meant, and didn't really understand what it meant for my sister. So the 30 second synopsis is that the part of her skull where the cerebellum and part of the brain stem sit was not developed large enough at birth, so as her brain grew with age, the space began to shrink and the pressure started to build. As it did, it affected her nerves and their ability to send impulses to the muscles in her arms, so slowly the muscle began to atrophy away because there was no signal being sent to be used. Because of the symptoms, my sister was unable to go through college because she didn't have the strength to carry books or exert to much energy. But the doctors found a way to try to fix it.
After numerous surgeries, including brain, spinal, two to move muscle from her back into her arms in order to replace her atrophied biceps, triceps and forearms, and surgeries on her hands to try to restore function. My sister is recovering the best she can and is scarred and in pain, but she doesn't complain and tries her best to do everything on her own. Only once have I heard her complain about her problem and it was one day when my dad walked into her room because she was crying for him. When he asked why, she told him that she couldn't button her pants, and she was frustrated and just broke down because she couldn't do something that we all take for granted everyday.
Having 6 children and previous financial issues, the onslaught of the medical bills has been making life for my parents hard, and because I know they don't want to burden others by asking for help, I decided that I would try for them. They don't know that I am making this, so I was was hoping that I could surprise them and give something back to them, after all they do for me. I know it is a lofty goal and a lot to ask for, but I just know that anything will help. I wish more than anything that I had the means to help them out myself, but I don't yet and I'm working as hard as possible to get to that point. But in the meantime, if anyone reads this, it would make a difference in everyone in my families life if you could help.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I can't thank you enough for anything you give to help either my family or anyone else. Thank you and God bless.
-Nathan Moncrief
First of all I would just like to thank everyone out there who are willing to give money in support of those who have gone through some sort of tragedy, or just for people who are in hard times and need a little help. It is so wonderful how many peoples lives you change and how much you help make the world a better place.
My name is Nathan Moncrief. I am a 19 year old who recently moved out of the house and I am working to save up money to go to college. I am the 4th child of 6, and the product of two of the greatest parents anyone could ever ask for. My mother is a school teacher at a charter school that she helped set up, and she has been there for almost 10 years. She is probably one of, if not the most, invested teacher I've ever met and absolutely loves the kids in her school. My father is a landscaper, and someone who gives to others and helps everyone else out first before worrying about himself. And then there is my sweet sister Brianna who this campaign is really focused on helping. And to explain why I need to go back a little ways.
Brianna was a normal 17 year old enjoying life and high school when one day while at the beach camping, she tried to pick up a flashlight and found that it was too heavy. At first we thought she was joking or trying to have a laugh, but as the days went on her strength rapidly began to deteriorate, and soon she got to the point where she struggled to even pick up a fork to feed herself. When we went to the doctors they ran all the tests, but couldn't tell us what was wrong. And then one day we got the unfortunate news that Brianna was suffering from something called a Chiari Malformation.
At first we had no idea what that meant, and didn't really understand what it meant for my sister. So the 30 second synopsis is that the part of her skull where the cerebellum and part of the brain stem sit was not developed large enough at birth, so as her brain grew with age, the space began to shrink and the pressure started to build. As it did, it affected her nerves and their ability to send impulses to the muscles in her arms, so slowly the muscle began to atrophy away because there was no signal being sent to be used. Because of the symptoms, my sister was unable to go through college because she didn't have the strength to carry books or exert to much energy. But the doctors found a way to try to fix it.
After numerous surgeries, including brain, spinal, two to move muscle from her back into her arms in order to replace her atrophied biceps, triceps and forearms, and surgeries on her hands to try to restore function. My sister is recovering the best she can and is scarred and in pain, but she doesn't complain and tries her best to do everything on her own. Only once have I heard her complain about her problem and it was one day when my dad walked into her room because she was crying for him. When he asked why, she told him that she couldn't button her pants, and she was frustrated and just broke down because she couldn't do something that we all take for granted everyday.
Having 6 children and previous financial issues, the onslaught of the medical bills has been making life for my parents hard, and because I know they don't want to burden others by asking for help, I decided that I would try for them. They don't know that I am making this, so I was was hoping that I could surprise them and give something back to them, after all they do for me. I know it is a lofty goal and a lot to ask for, but I just know that anything will help. I wish more than anything that I had the means to help them out myself, but I don't yet and I'm working as hard as possible to get to that point. But in the meantime, if anyone reads this, it would make a difference in everyone in my families life if you could help.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I can't thank you enough for anything you give to help either my family or anyone else. Thank you and God bless.
-Nathan Moncrief
Organizer
Nathan Moncrief
Organizer
Waialua, HI