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After years of constant headaches, Mrs. Witty was only recently diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation of the brain and the associated disorders of a tethered spinal cord and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.  She wants to educate as many people as possible on these conditions so as to help others receive earlier diagnosis and treatment.  The following Chiari material and links should be helpful to anyone looking for more information.  She has created a blog to help raise Chiari awareness as well.  It can be accessed at: www.wittybigbrain.blogspot.com .

Chiari Malformation (Arnold-Chiari) is 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 and causing many symptoms.

 Quick Facts About Chiari Malformation:

• Affects more than 300,000 people in the US; 30% of children born with spina bifida are also born with a Chiari Malformation.
• Causes a wide ranging, diverse set of symptoms. Research has shown that 95% of patients experience at least 5 symptoms.
• Diagnosed using combination of MRI, neurological exam, physician’s judgment, and other tests; patients often go 5 or more years before being properly diagnosed.
• A study of over 300 Chiari Malformation patients found that 57% had at one time been told by a doctor they were suffering from a mental or emotional problem.
• Many patients undergo serious brain surgery in an attempt to stop symptoms from progressing.
• Research has shown that surgery can improve symptoms for about 80% of patients, but fails about 20% of the time.
• Chiari can place a tremendous physical, mental, emotional, and economic strain on patients and their families.
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www.chiariinstitute.com Located in Great Neck, New York, TCI is the absolute best place in the world for Chiari diagnosis and treatment. This is where Mrs. Witty was finally diagnosed; she has undergone one surgery there with another one scheduled for August. 

www.conquerchiari.org, home of Conquer Chiari, www.pressenter.com/~wacma/, home of the World Arnold Chiari Malformation Association and www.asap.org/, home of the American Syringomelia Alliance Project.  Each of these sites has lots of links, message boards and good information.