Her surgery for CCI-AAI is as inevitable as it is life-saving.

It is an extensive operation that takes a lot of time (adding to the total cost)

The specialized Neurosurgeon, recognized by the EDS Society, will prepare a complete treatment plan. That will take into account the results of various pre-operative examinations, possible complications and her specific needs.

The doctor and his team would rebuild vertebrae from the base of the skull to a certain level.
The doctor even wants to fix her entire neck along the front and back, for extra strength, so loose are her vertebrae.
Her head is lifted under traction relative to the vertebrae and secured with rods, screws and donor bone. This is to correct severe instability due to trauma.

This will finally give space to her pinched brain stem, spinal cord, vagus nerve, blood vessels, nerves and nerve pathways,…

In short, one will remove pressure on all trapped structures.

This will give her brain and the rest of her body a chance to recover and function normally again.

By literally giving her body the vital stability and space it needs, her quality of life will greatly improve, and she will even have the chance to rebuild her life completely (see Positive Outcomes).

You can live with EDS. With the untreated neck injuries and dangerous instability Melissa has, no.

💚 With your support, Melissa can breathe again, move, laugh, enjoy – truly live again.
💛 It is time to come together and help Melissa during this difficult time