Emma's Travel Expense for Surgery

Tim N Jennifer Beatty is organizing this fundraiser.

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Emma Grace was born on May 24, 2007. She had severe shoulder dystocia (traumatic birth injury) at birth. The Doctor had to aggressively work to deliver her due to lack of oxygen. Because he was so aggressive in pulling on her head/neck, it damaged her Brachial Plexus nerves. She was diagnosed with Obstetrical Brachial Plexus (Erb's Palsy) at birth.

She has done remarkable over the 7 1/2 years through physical therapy. When she was four years old we took her to an orthopedic surgeon at Duke University. Through an MRI he discovered that her shoulder cuff was in the shape of an "L" and not a "C" like it should be. Because of nerve damage and muscle imbalances, her shoulder does not have the proper cuff to hold it in place. We were told that her arm would slowly continue to turn inward. The only thing we could do at that time was a muscle transfer surgery of the pectoral muscle to the back of her shoulder. We were told that this would only slow down the process and would not solve the problem. So on February 13, 2012, that's what we did.

Emma is now seven-years-old. We have seen it continue to turn inwards. It has turned in so much now that it is pinching a nerve in her shoulder causing nerve pain in her arm. We just recently put her on Neurontin to help manage the pain until surgery can be done.

This past fall we had an opportunity to meet with an OBPI (Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injury) specialist, Dr. Nath. He is based out of Houston, TX. He travels around doing free clinics. He finally came to Raleigh NC! He examined Emma and told us that her shoulder is dislocated because of her shoulder cuff. He is recommending that she have the Triangle Tilt Surgery. Through this surgery he can re-position her shoulder in a place where over time she can (because she's young and children are resilient) re-grow her shoulder cuff.
Emma currently has 60% function in her left arm, and with surgery she could gain as much as 90% functionality.

The problem is the cost of the surgery and the cost to travel to Houston. TX from Raleigh, NC. It will cost us at least $2000.00 just to travel to Texas and back. Plus we will be paying Emma's maximum out of pocket amount with her insurance, which will be anywhere from $1500.00 to $3000.00 depending on whether it can be filed in-network or out-of-network.

It is very humbling to ask for help, but we believe that God will provide! He is and has always been faithful!

We are setting up this fund to try to raise enough money to get to Texas. The current cost for round trip airline tickets for us is $1300.00. We have to stay in a hotel for 3 nights. With the current hotel rates, it is going to cost anywhere from$400-$600 to stay for three nights. We will be in Texas for 4 to 5 days.

Even if you can't donate, your prayers will be greatly appreciated! Emma is getting more nervous as the surgery date approaches (early March).

Thank you for your prayers!

"The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

Emma when she was one-years-old
Emma's first day of second grade

Emma Grace seven-years-old