Help Natalee fight for her life.

At 22 years old, Natalee has rare and complex conditions! A once healthy teenager, Natalee has hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), chronic pain, bladder conditions and intestine dysmotility. These conditions affect blood circulation, reducing her ability to eat orally, blood pooling, loss of muscle strength, connective tissue weaknesses, blackouts, dizziness, and joint dislocations. All of these factors increase as her weight reduces.

In December, we received a confirmed diagnosis of abdominal vascular compressions, specifically Nutcracker Syndrome, and a suspected diagnosis of SMAS from the NZ Specialist, which the Canberra Specialist confirmed. To verify SMAS in NZ, we would need to wait 6 to 8 months for the only qualified radiologist to complete the scans or 2 to 3 months in Canberra. Natalee has lost 23 kgs this year and is now 45 kgs; with no help from the NZ Health System to provide TPN nutrition, we have decided to go overseas with the information we have.

We have opted for Spain as they have an experienced multi-disciplinary surgical team that will help with vascular, digestive and urology issues, all of which she has.

We started this Give a Little page to raise money for surgery costs overseas. We are waiting on a confirmed cost, but we need approximately $100K to allow Natalee to eat and drink and give her a chance to live a relatively normal life again.