Supporting Happy Wheels has been important to our family in years past, but it became even more special when Emma Claire was admitted to MUSC in May of 2023.

In the beginning of March 2023 Emma Claire began having severe headaches and nausea that were not responding to any medicine. Sitting up was a challenge for her and she was almost always more comfortable laying down. She was increasingly more exhausted and her headaches and nausea would come on without any rhyme or reason. This could be very debilitating at times, resulting in Emma Claire missing the last few months of her 5th grade year.

An MRI showed that Emma Claire had Chiari Malformation. Her cerebellum was sitting much lower than it should and was extending into her spinal canal. As a result, her flow of spinal fluid to her brain was severely restricted. The only way to give Emma Claire some relief was to have surgery. On May 10, 2023 Emma Claire was admitted to MUSC to have decompression surgery. Our child who had never even had blood drawn was now undergoing brain surgery.

After a very successful surgery performed by Dr. Infinger at MUSC, Emma Claire stayed in the hospital for a little under a week. I never imagined we would be the ones in the hospital, and that our child would be a recipient from the Happy Wheels cart. Happy Wheels is so much more than just a new toy for a child in the hospital. In a time that is terrifying and scary, it brings a sense of normalcy and kindness to the children. It also brings a glimmer of hope to see a little smile and lets the kids just be kids for a little bit.

I am thrilled to say that Emma Claire is thriving and doing so well now! She just celebrated her 13th birthday and is officially a teenager now!! Emma Claire loves playing tennis, going to the beach and hanging out with her friends and family.