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     My name is Tricia and I am 25 years old. I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Type 1 in January 2010. I have a 8mm herniation with a CSF (cerebrial spinal fluid) flow blockage on the posterior side of my herniation and I am not decompressed.

      I have been fighting this condition for the past 4 1/2 years. Each year has gotten a little harder, but I'm not giving up. When I was first diagnosed, it was a complete shock to me that all of my previous health issues were actually being caused by my brain. For quite some time my doctor had no clue what was wrong with me and I ended up being misdiagnosed with "just anxiety", when in fact there was something really wrong.

     Over the years, the symptoms of my condition have turned my life upside down and I have had to learn how to live around them. Since my diagnosis, I have dealt with a lot when it comes to this condition. It started off as a headache and just grew worse. I've been through soo many treatments for my headaches and nothing helps. I've been through so many tests as well. I shouldn't have to remember my 20's as the worst years of my life. I'm going on 25 years old and it has not been an easy road. No one should ever have to go through this. I've probably seen more doctors, been on more medication, and had more testing done than someone twice my age. This condition can ruin a person's life. September 2012 was especially difficult for me. After three years of testing, medication, and not getting anywhere, I was severely depressed and couldn't handle it anymore. So I tried to take my own life.  It should never get to this point for any of us. Many people die of suicide because of this condition when they shouldn't. It's sad I felt like I would never have the quality of life I deserve because of this condition. I'm sure many of us feel this way. Since my attempt I have gotten help for my depression and met my wonderful finace Nic, who has been with me the past year. 

     Even though the last 4 1/2 years have been difficult, I have been fortunate enough to have had my loving fiance to help my through the past year of this battle. I was recently hospitalized because suddenly I was not able to talk and my right leg was so weak I could not walk. I was in the hospital for 6 days and my fiance was there the entire time helping me through a pretty scary thing. I had to go home and use a walker to be able to get around and my speech had progress into a really bad stutter. I am happy to say that a week later, the stutter is gone for now, although it comes and goes; and I am able to walk around without almost any assistance at all. I hope my progress keeps getting better.

     A few things about this condition that I am thankful for is all the wonderful people I have met through networking sites and charity walks. I don't really have anyone local to me that has this condition, so it's been a real comfort. I'm also thankful for the fact that I can educate others about this condition in hope that future patients will be able to be properly diagnosed and get proper treatment early on instead of waiting months or years being misdiagnosed or told that all their problems are all "in their head" like so many of us have been told.

• Goal $100.00
• Raised $0.00