Welcome to My Personal WALK Fundraising Page
Taelley was diagnosed at 3 weeks old with Hydrocephalus. She was born premature with her twin sister at 26 weeks 6 days. She received her first shunt when she reached 4 pounds, 1 month old. Since then she has had multiple revisions, suffered two shunt infections; one being an extremely rare brain infection that she was the second reported case in the nation. Her infection was published two years ago in the medical journal. After her infections and another revision she had had 16 brain surgeries by 2 years old. Then we went two years without brain surgery. She had other surgeries and then started having seizures. Eventually she became stable and was enjoying preschool, gymnastics, swimming, dancing, friends and family. Recently (Mother's Day 2022) Taelley needed another brain surgery and suffered a stroke. Thankfully Taelley has regained the use of her right side and is getting back to her life as she knows it. At the young age of 8 years old, Taelley has had 25 brain surgeries, 3 other surgeries (some due to hydro) and multiple PICC line procedures. No child, teen or adult should have to go through brain surgery to feel better. We need a cure! Please help by donating and walking to help find a cure.
Support me as I WALK to End Hydrocephalus! As you may know, hydrocephalus is a life altering, life threatening condition, caused by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in pressure on the brain. The most common treatment for this condition is brain surgery to implant a medical device called a shunt, which has a 50% failure rate in children within the first two years.
A shunt is not a cure, as many patients endure multiple brain surgeries throughout their lifetime, some more than 100. Imagine life knowing that the next brain surgery lurks around the corner because your shunt could fail at any moment. No one should have to live like this.
This is WHY I WALK and also why I need your support. Please donate and help me reach my goal. Your donation is greatly appreciated and will go far in helping us find a cure and improve the lives of people living with hydrocephalus.
Thank you!
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