7 year-old Sydney Arno looks like a normal child. She enjoys singing, dancing and playing like every other kid. But unlike most children, she's suffering from a rare brain disorder. Sydney was diagnosed in September with Chiari Malformation Type One, a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine according to ConquerChiari.org.

Heather Arno
Heather Arno
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Sydney will have surgery to remove a portion of her skull and brain tissue December 29 at Strong Memorial Childrens Hospital in Rochester. She'll then need up to 2 months to recover.

Problems Since Birth

Sydney may only be 7, but she's already has a tough life, right from the start when she was born 4 weeks early. During labor, Heather says Sydney was stuck in the birth canal, her heart stopped and her face was squished on the left side from her eye to her chin. When she was finally delivered she suffered nerve damage where her face had been pressed on so hard, which left her eye unable to completely close, and her mouth drooped down to the left.

Then Sydney went from 6.9 pounds at birth to 3.9 pounds after continually vomitting. She was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis; the tube that takes food from the stomach to the intestines was completely closed. Surgery repaired the problem but doctors found a rip in between the chambers of Sydney's heart, and her pulmonary valve was much too small for her heart.

Sydney has suffered significant delays in her gross motor, fine motor, and verbal skills, likely caused by a brain abnormality. Despite all this, Sydney stays strong. Heather says 'I know we'll cross many more hurdles, but that's what makes our bond even stronger.'

Heather Arno
Heather Arno
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How To Help

Sydney's mom Heather is taking time off of work during and after surgery. The family will travel back and forth to Rochester and family friends have set up a campaign at GoFundMe.com, to ease the financial burden of gas, hotels, tolls, food, parking and anything else that arises.

Heather likes to give back but says when she first heard about the campaign for her family, ,she was hesitant 'I didn't like it. I didn't want to accept it. I love the idea and I love knowing how many people love Sydney. I just want to thank everyone for the kind words, donations and phone calls. I know I don't deserve all this, but she certainly does. Although, I'm scared to death, we are incredibly lucky to have so much support..'

Heather Arno
Heather Arno
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Any donation, no matter how small, can make a difference and is greatly appreciated. Your prayers are also needed for Sydney.

For more information about Chiari Malformation you can go here:  www.conquerchiari.org


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