While surgeons who operate on the brain are very skilled in their jobs, it's still devastating for someone to learn that they need brain surgery. It's even more devastating if the patient being operated on is just a child.
A 7-year-old Alabama girl named Liza realized that she had multiple operations ahead of her. The young girl suffered from a grand mal seizure on January 30, and her loving mom, Elizabeth Scott, didn't waste any time looking for a diagnosis. After going through scans, doctors unfortunately found not one, but three different cerebral malformations.
Those malformations include schizencephaly, a parietal arteriovenous malformation, and a dural arteriovenous fistula. For those not medically gifted, the conditions are pretty serious, with the latter being an extremely rare condition. With those conditions combined, Liza was listed as being at risk for a stroke or a hemorrhage.
While it's serious, Liza is fighting. And she's raising money toward her health.
Liza's mom took action by starting a Mightycause fund called Lemonade for Liza — Zest for Life w/ Brain Surgery. The page is meant to raise funds for everything ahead and give supporters detailed updates on Liza. While she's still trying to be a 7-year-old, the weight of the surgeries ahead hasn't been easy to truly comprehend.
"In the wee hours of the morning Saturday, January 30, 2021, our lives and hearts were turned upside down when my sweet, sweet 7 year old, Liza suffered a Grand Mal seizure. We have learned in the last few weeks that Liza's brain is extra special — created by God, made perfect in His image, beautiful in its intricacies," the donation page states.
"If there is anyone who can take lemons and make it to the most amazing Lemonade ever, it is Liza," the page continues. "Selling lemonade (and other special treats) is one of her favorite things to do. So much so I built her a Lemonade Stand so she could sell her sweet creations anytime she wanted outside our family bakery in Homewood, AL. And sell she does, even giving it away for free just because she wants everyone to enjoy."
While it's very sweet that this young girl is taking action to help her condition, it's still quite a sad story. Based on how health care is run in the United States, nobody should be expecting a 7-year-old to raise her own money for her own lifesaving surgery. It's unfair that things have to be this way. But, if anything, it proves how much determination and spirit Liza has.
"From the start Liza has taken the lemons thrown her way and shown us all that adding a little Zest to life is what making Lemonade is all about," the page continues. "This spunky, loving, fearless, bright, happy girl will undergo her first brain surgery at Boston Children's the week of March 8, 2021." This is something the family never expected, but it's a big reminder that so many things happen that are out of our control.
Liza's mom is the one asking for help with this particular journey, detailing what the road ahead would look like for her small family. "As with any medical journey, the overwhelming additional expenses, time away from work, and additional resources needed to keep up with things at home is already piling up," she writes. "The next year will require a tremendous commitment of our family, our business, and anyone who is willing to join in this journey with us. As a single mom to two amazing gifts from God, it is taking a village to care for Liza, my 3 year old little boy, Finnley, our puppy Millie, and our home."
No matter what, Liza's mom is thinking positively about their journey ahead. "I invite you to join in Liza's journey to keep selling Lemonade outside our neighborhood bakery here in Homewood, Alabama, and support her journey as you feel led," she writes. "Whether it be in stopping by Savage's to treat your friends and family to Smiley Face cookies, giving to her medical care and our family needs, shipping fresh baked sweet from Savage's to your colleagues and friends around the country, or praying fervently for our family, for Liza, and for a miracle, know all ways in which you feel led mean the world to us."
Based on Liza's determination, she and her mom have been able to publicize her efforts on television. One of the saddest things to see is the fact that Liza still has doubts over what may happen. "I can't handle it. So, I hope I make it," she told CBS42. "My mom keeps saying I’m going to, but I feel like I'm not."
While still quite upsetting, Liza's story has touched a lot of lives. Many people around the globe are rooting for her surgeries to be a success. Liza's mom is also promoting the family bakery if anyone wants to support Liza's family throughout this ordeal. She even offers shipping options.
Luckily, according to her mom's Facebook page, Liza is taking all of this newfound fame very well. "There is no fooling Liza in anything in life, and while she may not fully understand the magnitude of it all, she does feel the stress, the heartache, and the struggle. In the last two days, as we near our departure date to Boston, Liza has become more expressive in her feelings towards all that she faces," her mom writes.
"She is the strongest little girl I know and has wisdom and maturity beyond her years. Though in the quiet moments, at home, behind the scenes at the bakery, outside playing, she at times falls apart," her mom reveals. "She is scared, doesn't want surgery, doesn't want to struggle, says she is not getting on an airplane to Boston, and tries adamantly to take back control of her life."
Her mom is open about how hard this has been for Liza. These types of procedures shouldn't be something that kids even know about. But that's what's often scary about health. Being young doesn't mean you're free from health concerns. And a mom with two kids could easily go bankrupt if something like this were to happen.
While Liza continues to fight, she'll have plenty of people following her heroic journey. This isn't something that she asked for, and hopefully one day it'll become just a distant yet life-changing memory. But it's important to know that there are a lot of kids like Liza out there, and a lot of families struggling to afford lifesaving medical procedures.
That's why it's important to spread love. Give donations when you can and well-wishes when you can't. If you know a family is going through something this upsetting, consider making them a few meals that they can quickly heat up, or send them a gift card to pick up lunch on the road. In situations like this, working together and lending a hand can mean everything.
