The Village of Wellington’s clock tower is lit purple every September, but many don’t understand why. The light of the tower recognizes Chiari Malformation Awareness Month, a medical condition that is likewise unfamiliar to many.
One Wellington family has become not only aware but also deeply impacted by Chiari Malformation. Brittany and Ryan Stremel’s son JoJo has battled the condition and had brain surgery at just two years old. His family is now on a mission to raise awareness about Chiari Malformation and support research on the under-recognized condition.
Chiari Malformation is a condition where the lower posterior part of the brain, the cerebellum, extends down into the spinal cord, which can cause a blockage or leak of spinal fluid. There are various types that have a range of impacts and symptoms. Many people can go their whole lives without knowing they have the condition or developing symptoms. Other individuals with the condition might experience dizziness, headaches, difficulty with balance, or trouble swallowing and breathing, and require surgery…