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West Virginia Family Overcomes Rare Chiari Malformation Struggles

10/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Higginbothams of West Virginia report four of their six daughters diagnosed with Chiari malformation.
The youngest, Austyn, was diagnosed at 18 months and had surgery in March 2023 with improvement.
Amelia and Aubrey were later diagnosed and required surgeries, and the family notes that only 10% of Chiari cases are hereditary.
Now the family reports a new normal, with children free from chronic pain and grateful for medical care.

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Story summary

The Higginbothams of West Virginia report four of their six daughters diagnosed with Chiari malformation.
The youngest, Austyn, was diagnosed at 18 months and had surgery in March 2023 with improvement.
Amelia and Aubrey were later diagnosed and required surgeries, and the family notes that only 10% of Chiari cases are hereditary.
Now the family reports a new normal, with children free from chronic pain and grateful for medical care.