I have had the pleasure of working with Ryan Buya for the past six years.  The Buya family is one of the most special, kind hearted, families I know.   Their faith in God, and love for their family is refreshing, and inspiring.  The Buya family is needing our love and support during this time.  They have 2 wonderful children, Ethan and Emma.  Below are some details involving upcoming procedures needed for their daughter Emma:

Soon after Emma was born, she was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber Syndrome. This rare and progressive disorder includes symptoms such as glaucoma, seizures and developmental delays. It is often characterized by a facial birthmark (port wine stain). Neurologic involvement is typically limited to one side of the ...brain. Antiepileptic drugs are often effective in controlling seizures in those with Sturge-Weber. Up until this point, the antiepileptic drugs had been keeping Emma’s seizures under control. Last Tuesday we had to come to Cook Children’s Hospital in Ft. Worth because she was continuing to have so many seizures. While here, Emma had an MRI so that we could find out if there had been any changes since her ...last MRI as well compare the left and right sides of her brain. There was quite a bit of atrophy in the left side of her brain which has been something we have been watching because of the progressive nature of Sturge-Weber. It appears that this is concentrated on the left side of her brain which makes Emma a candidate for a hemispherectomy. A hemispherectomy is a surgical procedure in which half of the brain is removed or disconnected. The deep structures of the brain (the thalamus, brain stem and basal ganglia) are left intact.

 The Buyas are planning to have this surgery in the next 2 months.  While insurance will help cover some of  the surgery related costs, there will be many additional expences involved .

Little Emma is only 2 years old, let's please help this incredible family and reduce any financial stress on top of the road they are about to travel.