Help us fund medical treatment for Maia not available in New Zealand

At age 14, Maia's health started to decline. She had been a high achieving student, with a natural talent for art, drama, and writing. She has since had to withdraw from school due to severe pain, constant nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, with having had significant weight loss. Almost 4 years later she now relies on a naso-jejeunal (NJ) tube for nutrition and hydration.

Last year Maia was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder that affects the collagen production in the body and causes a lot of co-morbidities. Maia has recently been diagnosed with a number of rare conditions that are contributing to her pain and gastrointestinal symptoms which fall into the category of Abdominal Vascular Compression Syndromes (AVCs).

The AVCS that have been confirmed are SMAS, MALS, Nutcracker Syndrome, and May Thurner Syndrome. We have been advised by Maia's vascular surgeon that it is necessary for Maia to have surgery to release these compressions, to return and improve blood flow to her organs (particularly her kidney), allow her to eat and drink again, and to give her the opportunity to live a normal life.

Unfortunately there is currently no treatment or surgery options available in Aotearoa for Maia, and Germany is our best, and most cost effective option. It does still come with a significant cost however and we are unable to fund this ourselves. Without fundraising to cover the costs, Maia will not be able to get this surgery.