Mistire is just 3 weeks old. Her mother wants nothing more than for her first child to grow up and lead a healthy normal life.
Mistire was born with an obvious mass on her back and weakness in her legs. Her doctors diagnosed her with spina bifida, a condition that causes the spinal cord to protrude through vertebrae in the back that are not fully formed. The condition is very serious and Mistire risks death from infection and the possibility of water collecting on the brain.
With surgery costing $1300, doctors can close the space between the vertebrae in Mistire’s back and stop the risk of death from infection. If water is found to have collected on the brain, they can insert a drain to remove the fluid and reduce the pressure. Following surgery Mistire will require follow up medical assistance but with good care she can expect a long and healthy life.