Valerie is a remarkable young woman whose courage and joy are truly contagious. Even amidst unimaginable pain, she always carries a warm, friendly smile, one that lights up every room she enters. People naturally gravitate toward her, drawn not just to her charm and humor, but to the bravery she embodies every day. Her motto, “It’s going to hurt anyways, so might as well have fun,” perfectly captures her spirit. Valerie embraces life fully, finding joy wherever she can, even in the toughest moments. She is smart, stylish, compassionate, grateful, and a loyal friend and daughter, inspiring everyone who learns her story.
Before Miracle Flights entered Valerie’s life, she faced extraordinary challenges. She was battling Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome, a rare condition so severe that even swallowing caused unbearable pain. Valerie was surviving on a feeding tube, unable to enjoy the simple act of eating without agony. Her family found hope in a renowned out-of-state surgeon who specializes in rare conditions, but accessing this life-saving care seemed impossible. That’s when Miracle Flights made the impossible possible. In 2021, they provided the transportation Valerie needed for consultations, testing, and ultimately the surgery that would change her life.
While her surgery was successful, Valerie’s journey was far from over. She later developed other rare medical conditions, including neuropathic pain caused by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, requiring numerous surgeries and countless pain management treatments across the country. These conditions are some of the most severe known to medicine, so painful that they are sometimes referred to as “suicide diseases.” Without Miracle Flights, Valerie’s family knows they could never have afforded the travel required for these essential treatments. They firmly believe that the organization helped save her life.
Since receiving support from Miracle Flights, Valerie has undergone six life-altering surgeries and is now thriving in ways that would have been unimaginable before. She was recently admitted to the University of Texas at Austin, the top public university in the state, and is living independently on campus. Today, she can eat, walk, wash her face and brush her teeth without pain, style her hair, rest her head comfortably on a pillow, and wear socks and shoes without the agony she once endured. Her confidence has soared, and she can enjoy a more normal life, going out with friends, pursuing her ambitions, and embracing her future with hope.
Valerie’s story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the life-changing power of access to care. Thanks to Miracle Flights, she has moved from surviving day-to-day in severe pain to living fully, laughing freely, and inspiring everyone around her.
