So I want to submit this for my Virtual Voice school paper. Any touch-ups I should do?
September is awareness month for many illnesses. A purple ribbon represents many awareness’s as well. One of the many illnesses is called Chiari Malformation. Ever heard of it? Not many people have heard of it, and neither have many doctors. I want you to understand what this is, and why we should help fight against it. The main question I will answer is what is Chiari?
Chiari Malformation is a neurological illness. The cerebellum droops, putting pressure on the spinal column, and in many cases, can paralyze. Some of the symptoms that come with Chiari Malformation include dizziness, forgetfulness, paralyze, seizures, numbness, and many other symptoms. Chiari Malformation cannot be cured, but we can sponsor for more research. What we do know is that it is hereditary, and it is more often found in women and young children.
September is Chiari awareness month, so I chose now to write this. Many people who hear this brush it off, and some doctors do not realize how important this malformation is. The person who gave me the inspiration to write this explained how she got informed. Her doctor called her and said ‘Good news! It’s not a tumor! Bad news, your brain is leaking out of your skull.’ Imagine if you got that call, or maybe your best friend, or even your mom, how would you feel? Yes, Chiari is not cancer, but Chiari is still a nasty disease that we do not know much about.
September 20th, I will do a 3K walk for Chiari Malformation. I am doing this for my mom. She got diagnosed with Chiari in March 2013. After years of not knowing what was wrong, and test after test, they did an MRI, hoping to find a tumor or cyst, and instead found Chiari. Her cerebellum droops one centimeter outside of the natural arch for it.
The entire point of this was hoping to inform someone else, and then maybe they will say “Hey! Guess what I learned today.” Maybe to family, a friend, a post… Pretty much anything that would make someone wonder and possibly do a Google search. If not, at least I tried to inform others.
Two great things you can do is A) On Saturday the 20th wear a purple shirt and take a picture (#ChiariMalformation.) B) The Chiari Brain Freeze Challenge. We have all heard the ASL Ice Bucket Challenge, this is the Chiarian version. Spin in a circle 5-10 times, and then chug a slushi/icee until you get a brain freeze. Video it and post to facebook, (#ChiariBrainFreezeChallenge.) No, it isn’t much, but, well, maybe make someone with Chiari smile.
Well, have a happy September, and remember to support in any way you can.
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