Melissa's Story
Melissa was an only child, but the house was anything but quiet.
Over the years, her parents took in several foster brothers and sisters, and for Melissa, it felt like gaining an entire extra family. She thrived among them, spent endless hours playing with her new siblings, and came up with the most creative games and stories.
As a child, Melissa already had a more fragile health and suffered from scoliosis. At the age of twelve, she underwent surgery for this. An infection caused the metal in her back to be removed prematurely, but she got back on her feet — both literally and figuratively. After a year in which she couldn’t attend school, she once again became a cheerful teenager.
In her twenties, she lived life to the fullest — happy and carefree. She sometimes recovered a bit slower than others when she was ill, but nothing seemed to stop her. She worked toward her dreams, had a partner, and a large circle of friends. She loved sitting on terraces, celebrating birthdays, and spending days at the seaside or in the Ardennes. She enjoyed her dogs and long walks in the woods.
She loved cooking and did it often. Desserts were her specialty. On Sundays, she happily shared those sweet creations with friends and family. Dining out was a weekly habit for her. She discovered traveling, which made her endlessly happy.
Her desire to have children was deeply rooted, but that dream was shattered when her relationship
came to an end… Until the age of thirty, she had a beautiful and carefree life. She could never have imagined what would follow.
Melissa before her diagnosis.
First neck injury – years of searching
In 2013, she suffered her first neck injury. For nine years, she searched for answers. She visited countless doctors and underwent numerous tests, but no clear cause was ever found. She kept functioning, but it took more and more of her energy.
In 2016, two doctors suggested Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), but nothing more.
Working, but less
At the time, she worked as an accounting clerk — perhaps a bit monotonous, but she was very good at it. Unfortunately, as her symptoms worsened, she had to reduce her working hours.
She also came to realize that, because of her illness, she would probably never have children.
Sometimes she dreams that after her life-saving surgery, she’ll meet a new partner and become a loving stepmom. But today, she can barely take care of her dogs.
Melissa before her diagnosis.
Working, but less
At the time, she worked as an accounting clerk — perhaps a bit monotonous, but she was very good at it. Unfortunately, as her symptoms worsened, she had to reduce her working hours.
She also came to realize that, because of her illness, she would probably never have children.
Sometimes she dreams that after her life-saving surgery, she’ll meet a new partner and become a loving stepmom. But today, she can barely take care of her dogs.
Melissa before her diagnosis.
The real breaking point
At the end of 2022 — nine years later — she suffered another neck injury in an accident. It shattered her world. Her symptoms worsened, and countless new ones appeared.
Although Melissa fought long and hard with all kinds of therapies and exercises, nothing truly helped. Much to her regret, she ultimately had to stop working permanently. Living upright became increasingly difficult, and today she can mostly only live while lying down.
The EDS diagnosis
In 2023, she finally received part of the diagnosis: EDS. Her joints are hypermobile, and her ligaments no longer do their job.
Some time after this diagnosis, she came into contact with the non-profit organization Zebrapad. A whole new world opened up for her. Thanks to her contacts at Zebrapad, she found a doctor in Belgium with knowledge of EDS. This Belgian doctor diagnosed increased intracranial pressure as a consequence and therefore suspected CCI-AAI (cranio-cervical instability), but explained that the proper imaging for CCI-AAI is only possible abroad.
The CCI-AAI diagnosis thanks to special imaging in Barcelona
That’s why Melissa later traveled to Barcelona, where she underwent a special MRI that isn’t available in Belgium. The verdict was clear: CCI-AAI and possibly a tethered cord. CCI-AAI is a serious complication that can only be treated by a small number of specialized doctors abroad. Neurosurgeons in Spain and the U.S. confirmed this diagnosis.
Every day is a battle
Today, Melissa receives daily help from a nurse, home care assistant, cleaning aid, physiotherapist, and a social worker for her paperwork. Yet, there’s still so much left undone — you can’t leave everything to others.
The reality is that she’s able to do less and less. Even medical appointments often have to be canceled because she simply can’t manage. When she does have to go, it’s an ordeal — followed by days of pain, additional symptoms, and total exhaustion.
Fortunately, a neighbor boy walks her 2 little dogs regularly, but it is still sad: her faithful dogs only see their owner lying in bed, in a low stimulation room. Even watching TV no longer works.
The solution: surgery abroad
That solution exists!
A renowned neurosurgeon has dedicated himself to helping EDS patients with skull base and spinal problems.
It is her only path to stability, recovery, and a future.
Because the surgery abroad is not covered by insurance, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched.
If we can raise €199,000, Melissa can undergo surgery and receive care from a team specialized in her rare condition.
It’s a lot of money, but it will give Melissa her future back — and that makes every single euro so incredibly worth it.
Melissa can have the same chance as patients who have already undergone this surgery: a full recovery or a dramatic improvement in quality of life, averaging 80–90%. Those are impressive results!
It is literally a matter of life and death.
Hope and determination
She refuses to give up; she wants to be herself again: cheerful, social, optimistic, and full of confidence. She wants to cherish the little moments again — a walk with her dogs, a chat with friends, a day without pain, and the ability to enjoy life.
Being able to bathe independently again, sit upright, breathe freely, go outside, think clearly even while sitting upright with the lights on, read a book, concentrate, organize, and so much more… in short, normal things, and simply being able to take care of herself again.
She wants to fight. She holds on to the possibility of that essential surgery, no matter how hard things are right now. Her willpower is immense.
She knows that if she gets this chance, she can gradually rebuild her life step by step with her friends and family. That means setting meaningful goals again, such as supporting other sick people and inspiring them. That is of priceless value to her.
Together, we can give her that chance!
And if she gets that chance, she will live again — fully, and with deep gratitude.
With your support, this won’t be an ending, but a new beginning.
Your support makes it possible for her to breathe freely, move, and live with dignity again.
From the bottom of our hearts:
Thank you — for your support, for carrying, for sharing, and for helping.
Donate via Wire Transfer
If you prefer to make a direct transfer yourself, you can find the details of the non-profit organization KopOp – Help Melissa here :
non-profit organization KopOp – Help Melissa
BE94 3632 3447 5514
BIC/SWIFT: BBRUBEBB (for payments outside of Belgium)
Communication:
Bankname ING Belgium
Payconiq
GoFundMe
Donations via GoFundMe are of course welcome, but please keep in mind that the platform takes a percentage.
