Tybee Roller Skate Night Fundraiser for Sick Child

A group of girls from Marshpoint Elementary School have been rallying around their friend, 9-year old Emily Brennan, who has a chronic nerve pain disorder and many medical procedures. Friends of the family are trying to raise money to help the Brennan family because they don't have insurance. Tonight, you can help by going to the Skate Night at the Tybee YMCA. Emily's friends will run skate night from 6-9 p.m. at the YMCA located on 5th Street between Jones and Butler Avenues.

Emily's background from Erin McAlpin Brennan, Emily's mother.
Emily Brennan is a 9 year old 4th grader at Marshpoint Elementary. She is the daughter of locals Erin McAlpin Brennan and Brandy Brennan.
Starting in late September, Emily started having major stomach pains. After many emergency room visits her appendix was removed. After these couple months of no school and never wavering from having constant stomach pain, she was then hospitalized for 2 more weeks and had more tests. She had upper and lower GI's, colonoscopy and lost 14 pounds total. She had totally stopped being able to walk. The pain was too much for her to bear and then her little legs kept weakening.
She was then transferred by ambulance to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta. Within the first 24 hours, they had a name for what Emily had been suffering from. Visceral Hyperalgesia. (A chronic nerve pain disorder) where either due to a virus or when the surgery was done the nerves in her stomach were ‘turned on’ or there is no way to turn them off. You end up having to learn through therapy and mind over matter attitude to live with the pain.. The other bad news was the time frame for hyperalgesia is anywhere between 6-18 months.
She was accepted into the intensive rehab unit. She goes to physical therapy 3x time. While we were in Atl. they decided to do an MRI because they had done many CAT scans but wanted to make sure they weren't overlooking something. The neurosurgeon informed us she has Chari 1 Malformation with Syrinx, which is a condition where a portion of the brain herniated, pushing through the base of the skull, pressing against the brainstem. A syrinx usually forms in the spinal cord, also referred to as a cyst. They vary in size, and Emily's is very large for her age. Most symptoms of Chiari involve the upper extremities such as headaches and numbness and tingling of fingers among other symptoms.
We started to see the pediatric neurosurgeon here. Within minutes, he told us she needed surgery immediately. He also said when you see a child who up until 6 months ago was perfectly well to one who has become so ill and has several diagnoses; it's hard to believe they are not related in some way. Emily's syrinx is in the lower part of her spine where they are usually in the upper, so there is a possibility the lower area could be what's affecting her pain and walking.
Our hope is that Emily's stomach pain and gait problems are related to the Chiari. We won't know for sure until after the surgery and some recovery time. This has been very debilitating to her and after not able to walk, go to school and function as she normally does, she has been our inspiration with her braveness and unfaltering sweet, sweet spirit. This has been a truly life changing event for a child who is a dancer, loves to ride her bike, an Honor Roll student, and loves life. She will be having brain surgery on February 15th. Her surgery will be a "recordable case" as her issues are pretty rare so there will be other Neurologists and Neurosurgeons involved.
Our appreciation for the love, support and prayers from our friends, family and even strangers is unexplainable. We are so grateful for all of our blessings, especially Emily and for each of you who would take the time to support us.
Much love and thanks,
Brandy and Erin