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Medical Expenses for Henley Thomas

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Henley is the sweetest 7 year old you may ever meet. Through all of her pain she is constantly smiling. Henley was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation at 9 months old and began having major neurological symptoms at 18 months old. She suffered a major round of seizures in October 2011 and was hospitalized for several days to undergo extensive testing. In December 2011, she was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic deletion called 16p11.2 . At this time she is one of only about 500 people in the world to share this same diagnosis. She is currently enrolled in a research program to aid in learning more about this condition and how it will affect others. Henley's health began declining rapidly from age 20 months - 25 months and she underwent brain surgery in January 2012 in an attempt to relieve her symptoms. Most of the most serious symptoms resolved following the surgery. 

Henley was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in 2013 and learned that she had severe muscle tone issues, joint laxity, and chronic pain in her arms and legs due to this new diagnosis. She began horse therapy to increase her strength in August of 2015 and has enjoyed having a different type of physical therapy. She will also begin several more therapies in the spring of 2017.

In August of 2016, family, friends, teachers, and therapist all started noticing some of the previous neurological symptoms returning as well as some new symptoms that had never seen before in Henley. Henley is now dealing with pain on a daily basis. She has numbness in her limbs, pain in her legs that cause her problems walking. She has frequent headaches, major speech concerns and motor planning issues. She also has begun having some difficultly swallowing. Because of these new symptoms and the complication of her co-morbidities, the family has decided it necessary to seek out a new neurosurgeon who specializes in Chiari and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. 

They traveled to New York City during December 2016 where they met with one of the top Pediatric Neurosurgeons that specializes in Henley's condition. It was determined necessary that Henley needed a second and much more invasive brain surgery. The surgery took place on March 8th and she is now recovering in the PICU for several days. 

All funds raised will be used to help cover the enourmus costs involved in her care, treatment, travel, lodging and continued therapies. The family requests your continual prayers for the Henley and for the doctors and other staff that will be caring for her. 

You can check out Henley's Brave Campaign at: www.bravecampaign.com 

You can also follow Henley's story and get updates at: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/henleythomas/journal






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Donations 

  • Eric Jacobsen
    • $50
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $1,500 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
  • Hayley Webb
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
  • Tamara Reese
    • $250 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $800 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Leslie Thomas
Organizer
Keller, TX

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