Madeleine's surgery
Madeleine Murray is a nine-year-old little girl from Victoria, British Columbia. She has a very rare form of arthrogryposis. Her condition is precarious due to two unsuccessful surgery attempts to manage a curvature of her spine known as kyphosis and scoliosis. As a result of these surgeries, shown in the June pictures above, Madeleine's chin is now fixed down to her chest, limiting her vision and making it difficult to look up and forward. Choking is a serious and life threatening concern due to her throat being so collapsed. Unfortunately, the longer she is in this position, the harder it becomes to correct. The emotional toll on her self-esteem has been hard.
Madeleine's parents are desperate to take her to experts in Florida for life saving surgery.
Two surgeries are required and the rehabilitation and counselling that follow will require Madeline to be away from family and friends for up to four months. The estimated cost for this life saving procedure and therapy is roughly $500,000 and that does not include travel, living expenses and lost wages for this family. Dan and Laura, Madeleine's parents, have re-mortgaged their home, sold life insurance policies, and immediate family have helped with money to secure the first surgery she needs. The Murray family can't afford to go and can't afford to stay. On October 8, Thanksgiving weekend, they will be getting on a plane, not knowing how they will raise the additional $350,000 for the second surgery and cost of living while in Florida. They have faith.
There are very few surgeons in Canada who know how to perform the complex corrective surgery now required. Madeleine’s parents have not found a surgeon in Canada who has the necessary experience to deal with the degree of difficulty that is presented by her arthrogryposis. The most specialized surgeon in Canada was unsuccessful. The surgeon who performed the last two spine surgeries had never before seen a case like Madeleine presents. Arthrogryposis is a very complex condition. Specialized skill and experience with this rare disease is absolutely required to operate on a child with this condition. Madeleine has had to endure 10 surgeries thus far in her young life. Four of those were unsuccessful surgeries due in part to the related complexity of her arthrogryposis.
Because of the uniqueness and complexity of Madeleine’s condition, her parents, with the assistance of medical practitioners, sought advice from across Canada and the United States. They found Dr. David S Feldman, a surgeon in Florida at the Paley Institute. Dr. Feldman is a deformity spine expert and has corrected and worked with many children who, like Madeleine, are living with arthrogryposis presenting in the core of the body. Dr. Feldman has a vast knowledge and understanding of how Madeleine’s underlying disease is affecting her skeletal makeup and overall health. Dr. Feldman’s team has a physical therapist trained to treat Madeleine’s condition. Dr. Feldman's practice is based on a team that works closely with him to help children with arthrogryposis achieve independent, meaningful, and successful lives.
Madeleine has lost the ability to participate in the activities she once enjoyed before the two spinal surgeries this past year. She is able to attend school only part time because her neck becomes very sore if she doesn’t rest throughout the day. Only corrective surgery and effective post-surgical therapy and care can remedy the condition and help this formerly vivacious nine-year-old girl enjoy the quality of life she once knew.
Trained counselors at the Paley Institute will provide Madeleine with help to process this devastating set back and help her understand how to manage and live with her condition. Madeleine has never had the opportunity to share her life journey with others. At the Paley Institute, she will finally meet kids like her who also cope with the condition she and her family have dealt with alone.
Madeleine's family have searched for nine years to find a place for Madeleine to get the care Dr. Feldman offers. His surgical techniques will enable Madeleine to live a thriving, independent and functioning life. Madeleine will no longer need multiple surgeons who only specialize in one area. This disease is connected throughout her body and presents most significantly in her whole core, which is Dr. Feldman’s expertise. Anyone who knows this extremely brave young lady will agree, given the chance, she will do amazing things. Her story has the potential to touch many and help other children living with this condition. Both Madeleine's former and present GPs, who have cared for her throughout her life, strongly support the family’s decision to seek Dr. Feldman’s amazing team. One of the physicians went so far as to donate $1000 to kick-start a fundraising campaign to give her a chance to get the help she so desperately needs.
Madeleine’s father flew to Florida to meet Dr. Feldman and his team at the Paley Institute and presented her case, with x-rays, CT scans, and her life history. After thoroughly researching his credentials, Dan, Madeleine's father, was able to interview and question Dr. Feldman extensively. The family is confident that they have finally found the place tor correct her spine and give her the total care she needs and deserves.
Dr. Feldman asked Dan if he would like this nightmare to go away and give Madeline the care she deserves. Dan fought tears of joy knowing his daughter had an excellent chance of once again becoming the happy 9-year-old little girl in the red jacket that you see smiling at the camera the morning before her surgery. These surgeries in Florida have a proven track record. They will straighten and preserve Madeleine's spine for the rest of her life. Madeleine prays every night for a doctor to help her. She is so close to having those prayers answered.
If you were able to contribute to Madeleine’s dream, the Murray family would be ever grateful for your help!
Madeleine's parents are desperate to take her to experts in Florida for life saving surgery.
Two surgeries are required and the rehabilitation and counselling that follow will require Madeline to be away from family and friends for up to four months. The estimated cost for this life saving procedure and therapy is roughly $500,000 and that does not include travel, living expenses and lost wages for this family. Dan and Laura, Madeleine's parents, have re-mortgaged their home, sold life insurance policies, and immediate family have helped with money to secure the first surgery she needs. The Murray family can't afford to go and can't afford to stay. On October 8, Thanksgiving weekend, they will be getting on a plane, not knowing how they will raise the additional $350,000 for the second surgery and cost of living while in Florida. They have faith.
There are very few surgeons in Canada who know how to perform the complex corrective surgery now required. Madeleine’s parents have not found a surgeon in Canada who has the necessary experience to deal with the degree of difficulty that is presented by her arthrogryposis. The most specialized surgeon in Canada was unsuccessful. The surgeon who performed the last two spine surgeries had never before seen a case like Madeleine presents. Arthrogryposis is a very complex condition. Specialized skill and experience with this rare disease is absolutely required to operate on a child with this condition. Madeleine has had to endure 10 surgeries thus far in her young life. Four of those were unsuccessful surgeries due in part to the related complexity of her arthrogryposis.
Because of the uniqueness and complexity of Madeleine’s condition, her parents, with the assistance of medical practitioners, sought advice from across Canada and the United States. They found Dr. David S Feldman, a surgeon in Florida at the Paley Institute. Dr. Feldman is a deformity spine expert and has corrected and worked with many children who, like Madeleine, are living with arthrogryposis presenting in the core of the body. Dr. Feldman has a vast knowledge and understanding of how Madeleine’s underlying disease is affecting her skeletal makeup and overall health. Dr. Feldman’s team has a physical therapist trained to treat Madeleine’s condition. Dr. Feldman's practice is based on a team that works closely with him to help children with arthrogryposis achieve independent, meaningful, and successful lives.
Madeleine has lost the ability to participate in the activities she once enjoyed before the two spinal surgeries this past year. She is able to attend school only part time because her neck becomes very sore if she doesn’t rest throughout the day. Only corrective surgery and effective post-surgical therapy and care can remedy the condition and help this formerly vivacious nine-year-old girl enjoy the quality of life she once knew.
Trained counselors at the Paley Institute will provide Madeleine with help to process this devastating set back and help her understand how to manage and live with her condition. Madeleine has never had the opportunity to share her life journey with others. At the Paley Institute, she will finally meet kids like her who also cope with the condition she and her family have dealt with alone.
Madeleine's family have searched for nine years to find a place for Madeleine to get the care Dr. Feldman offers. His surgical techniques will enable Madeleine to live a thriving, independent and functioning life. Madeleine will no longer need multiple surgeons who only specialize in one area. This disease is connected throughout her body and presents most significantly in her whole core, which is Dr. Feldman’s expertise. Anyone who knows this extremely brave young lady will agree, given the chance, she will do amazing things. Her story has the potential to touch many and help other children living with this condition. Both Madeleine's former and present GPs, who have cared for her throughout her life, strongly support the family’s decision to seek Dr. Feldman’s amazing team. One of the physicians went so far as to donate $1000 to kick-start a fundraising campaign to give her a chance to get the help she so desperately needs.
Madeleine’s father flew to Florida to meet Dr. Feldman and his team at the Paley Institute and presented her case, with x-rays, CT scans, and her life history. After thoroughly researching his credentials, Dan, Madeleine's father, was able to interview and question Dr. Feldman extensively. The family is confident that they have finally found the place tor correct her spine and give her the total care she needs and deserves.
Dr. Feldman asked Dan if he would like this nightmare to go away and give Madeline the care she deserves. Dan fought tears of joy knowing his daughter had an excellent chance of once again becoming the happy 9-year-old little girl in the red jacket that you see smiling at the camera the morning before her surgery. These surgeries in Florida have a proven track record. They will straighten and preserve Madeleine's spine for the rest of her life. Madeleine prays every night for a doctor to help her. She is so close to having those prayers answered.
If you were able to contribute to Madeleine’s dream, the Murray family would be ever grateful for your help!
Help spread the word!
posted by Cerine @ 9:32 AM
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