My beautiful 16 year old daughter has a multitude of different health problems. She has recently been diagnosed with Chiari malformation which affects her brain. The pressure in her brain causes constant headaches and has even caused issues with her hormones. 

She has a condition called lipoedema which affects her arms and legs. This is a genetic, abnormal fat disorder, which no diet or exercise can reduce. Her limbs appear like they don't belong to the rest of her body as they slowly increase in size. It is known as painful fat disorder and she suffers with random bruising. Her mobility is becoming impaired as the painful fat pads on the inside of her knees are pushing outwards; this is not helped by her hypermobility as her joints and connective tissue don't provide much support. This causes regular dislocation which she is currently having physio for. This is to try and help stop it happening as often. It's not uncommon for this condition to cause depression and anxiety, both of which Caitlin has suffered with both in the past and presently.

As her parent, it is exceptionally hard to watch her going through this at such a young age. I worry every day about how it might be affecting her mental health as well as her physical health. The NHS do not offer surgery to help, despite it being a medical problem affecting 11% of the world's population, predominantly females!! The surgery she will need is medical liposuction and is by no means a small thing. It is brutal, painful and definately NOT done for vanity, as most suggest.

I have set up this page to try and raise funds for the two surgeries Caitlin has been told will help to save her mobility and take the pressure off her knees. If it gives her some self confidence and self worth along the way then that is a huge bonus! 

If you can help, even just a tiny bit, aiding her to retain her mobility and feel somewhat like a 'normal' 16 year old then I will be forever grateful. Even sharing this page will mean so much!