Chiari Malformation Survivor

The Mukti Ryan Story – A Chiari Warrior’s Journey

“But you look so good” is what people usually say when they find out that I struggle with debilitating chronic illnesses. It is true- I wear fashionable clothes, I do my hair, I put on makeup and I have a smile on my face. Underneath it all though, is someone who is trying to live…
The Denelle Crespo Story – A Chiari Warrior’s Journey

I was what you would consider a “typical developing child” growing up, I did not have any health issues and was able to enjoy much of my childhood. My journey to finding answers in regard my health began at 15 years old, when I began rapidly losing my vision in my left eye. I dealt…
The Majbrit Jessen Story – A Chiari Warrior’s Journey

I had a rough journey with these conditions and I am sharing it to help show how complex we can be and how much we need the medical community to step it up a notch (or ten)! I grew up in Denmark, where I lived when I was diagnosed and had my first surgeries. I…
The Christopher Ellington Story – A Chiari Warrior’s Journey [Updated]

My introduction to Chiari malformation I (CM1) begins in 1994. I had been married about 7 months and we had just celebrated our ﬁrst Christmas together as newlyweds. Shortly after the new year, I developed a bad headache that eventually evolved into losing my eyesight in one eye. I went to the eye doctor, who…

The Mukti Ryan Story – A Chiari Warrior’s Journey