Hello, my name is R-Riana Spivey-Johnson, and I am writing on behalf of my newborn Journey Chanel Spivey-Johnson. When I found out I was pregnant for a third time, my husband and I were elated! Our family would grow by one, and I would get the chance to embrace neonatal motherhood once more.

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However, several months into my first trimester, I began experiencing difficulties; it was after several rounds of imaging, testing and blood work that doctors informed me that although still in-vitro, the fetus was diagnosed with meningoencephalocele, a type of meningocele, which is a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled hemial sac lined and covered by meninges. An encephalocystocele is a developmental malformation characterized by brain herniation and extracranial cystic protrusion of the ventricular system, A meningoencephalocele (MEC) is a developmental abnormality of the central nervous system that occurs when brain tissue herniates through a skull base opening and is covered by meninges; essentially this prevents the fetus' skull from fully forming, which causes excess fluid from the brain to hemorrhage, elongate and stretch the cranium and scalp, causing a deformity.

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Doctors then gave my family and I a grim diagnosis, that she would not survive birth, and that the family should prepare for the worst. Upon learning this, the option to terminate the pregnancy was suggested; however, I rejected the notion, if my child was meant to survive then I felt the need to adhere to my maternal instinct. On May 15, 2024 my third daughter was born otherwise healthy, and as expected, the deformity was apparent.

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I have recently had to resign from my place of employment of nearly a decade in order to care for my child on a full time basis, in that I am her primary caretaker and must be available to travel to Columbus, Ohio in order for her to receive treatment and in some cases, surgeries; doctors have also informed me of the possibility that Journey may be both visually and hearing impaired. The recent turn of events have caused a financial strain on my household and I am humbly asking for any possible financial assistance for Journey's future care. I do not regret the decisions I have made concerning my child, I am merely requesting the funds to ensure that she may live a comfortable life. Thank you in advance for considering.