Your share could raise $30
Before you go, did you know that simply by sharing this campaign, you could help it raise $30? It's an effective way to support the cause.
No thanks- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Christine Diane hasn't added a story.
Please Help Kate Get the Therapies She Needs for Klippel-Feil with Chiari Malformation
In 2002, a call out of the blue announced a baby for adoption: "Are you interested--" I was asked; I interrupted, "Absolutely!" I'm flooded with gratitude every day. Kate's my heart--her compassionate, insightful, humorous nature delight everyone she meets. But life hasn't been easy for her, and she needs therapies that will bring her comfort following an upcoming surgery into her brainstem.
A Child with Multiple Neurological and Autoimmune Challenges
Since her birth, doctors seemed wary of my worrisome nature and protectiveness. When my daughter was born with a pilonidal cyst, her pediatrician didn't tell me to watch for a tethered spinal cord, scoliosis, or chiari malformation of the brain stem. No images were taken to identify her fused cervical spine or craniocervical junction. Nor did jaundice Coombs positive results induce a warning to watch for autoimmune issues like Kawasaki's disease and lyphoproliferative disorders. Kate has survived all of this with remarkable strength, but not without a great deal of pain and emotional reaction to the outward signs of surgery and spinal compaction.
Kate's Recovery from Past and Upcoming Spinal Surgery
When her spine was untethered a few years ago, she astounded doctors with her optimism and quiet strength. I believe she will show the same resilience for decompression of the brainstem, but this time I want her to get the therapies she needs to optimize neck mobility; to bring comfort to her neck, back, and limbs; and to find joy and confidence in taking classes in some of the things she loves to do--dance; play viola, piano, and the recorder; sing; draw and make crafts. She'll also need tutoring for recovery and for some of the consequences of Chiari.
Our Currently Dismal Financial Situation
The fact is, we can't afford it. My girls and I have hidden in five DV shelters to avoid a dangerous situation that seemed to follow our every move. She has attended five schools and she's in fifth grade. When we left, we lost everything I'd worked for as a professional writer-editor for 14 years--a nice house, car, furniture, a way of life. I'm working hard to recover financially for my girls, but have epilepsy, concurrent sleeping disorders, and autoimmune vasculitis resulting from Grave's disease, so we're not there yet.
Help Kate Strive for the Achievement She Wants, Not Just for Mobility and Pain Tolerance
I must get my loving daughter through this hurdle. Ask Kate what she wants to be when she grows up: the President, so she can eliminate war and protect the poor. And if that fails, a singer/songwriter/performer or an obstetrician so she can catch babies. She will achieve great things. With less chronic pain and more mobility, she can achieve great things with pleasure. She can fight the good fight rather than her own pain.
Perks
Highlights
See all activity42Activity
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.