The Severance family has proudly called Charleston home since 2004. Like many of its residents, they were drawn to the rich history, unique charm, and outdoor lifestyle it offered. After living downtown Charleston for a decade, and as the family continued to grow, they relocated to Daniel Island. The small and cozy island life was what drew them in, but it is the incredible community that has blown them away.
As an active family of six, the Severance’s can usually be found outdoors. Whether it be competitive tennis, kayaking, paddleboarding, or riding bikes; they partake on the regular! Life certainly slowed down, and more like came to a screeching halt, when their oldest daughter, Sydney, fell ill in March of 2020. The days were troubling but giving up was not an option. No obstacle, even a worldwide pandemic, could stand in the way of helping Sydney.
Endless doctors appointments and tests later, Dr. Patel of MUSC suspected Sydney had Ehlers Danlos Syndrome/craniocervical instability (EDS/CCI). But he couldn’t confirm without an upright MRI scan. The family had to transport Sydney with great care to Greenville, South Carolina (the closest upright MRI location) to make this happen. Just as Dr. Patel suspected, the scan confirmed Sydney’s diagnosis of hypermobile EDS and CCI in November 2020. Dr. Patel performed a skull to C3 fusion on January 14th, 2021 in Charleston. Just days after the surgery, Sydney told her parents she wanted to fundraise $1.2 million for MUSC to purchase the machine that forever changed her life. An upright MRI is the only way to diagnose EDS and CCI patients, and there are very few that currently exist in the US. Shocked but filled with pride, the parents agreed to help launch her fundraiser, Operation Upright.
Operation Upright came to life because Sydney is adamant to give fellow EDS and CCI patients a smoother journey than what she experienced. This disease affects thousands of people who rarely find a diagnosis, let alone a cure.
Charleston’s MUSC already has the gifted staff to provide neurological care, it is the machine to confirm their suspicions that they lack. Sydney is determined to change that. Her hope is that Operation Upright empowers the bright minds at MUSC to help patients in a way unlike ever before. She is a girl on a mission and her family will support her goal until she’s achieved it. However, her support goes well beyond her immediate family.
The family would like to give a special thank you to all of the organizations that have kept Sydney in their prayers, sent messages of encouragement, and have checked on in on all of them throughout Sydney’s diagnosis and surgery process. No written sentiment will ever fully express their gratitude.
Thank you for your support of Operation Upright. We look forward to giving elevated care to the patients of MUSC.
The Severance family has proudly called Charleston home since 2004. Like many of its residents, they were drawn to the rich history, unique charm, and outdoor lifestyle it offered. After living downtown Charleston for a decade, and as the family continued to grow, they relocated to Daniel Island. The small and cozy island life was what drew them in, but it is the incredible community that has blown them away.
As an active family of six, the Severance’s can usually be found outdoors. Whether it be competitive tennis, kayaking, paddleboarding, or riding bikes; they partake on the regular! Life certainly slowed down, and more like came to a screeching halt, when their oldest daughter, Sydney, fell ill in March of 2020. The days were troubling but giving up was not an option. No obstacle, even a worldwide pandemic, could stand in the way of helping Sydney.
Endless doctors appointments and tests later, Dr. Patel of MUSC suspected Sydney had Ehlers Danlos Syndrome/craniocervical instability (EDS/CCI). But he couldn’t confirm without an upright MRI scan. The family had to transport Sydney with great care to Greenville, South Carolina (the closest upright MRI location) to make this happen. Just as Dr. Patel suspected, the scan confirmed Sydney’s diagnosis of hypermobile EDS and CCI in November 2020. Dr. Patel performed a skull to C3 fusion on January 14th, 2021 in Charleston. Just days after the surgery, Sydney told her parents she wanted to fundraise $1.2 million for MUSC to purchase the machine that forever changed her life. An upright MRI is the only way to diagnose EDS and CCI patients, and only 12 exist in the world. Shocked but filled with pride, the parents agreed to help launch her fundraiser, Operation Upright.
Operation Upright came to life because Sydney is adamant to give fellow EDS and CCI patients a smoother journey than what she experienced. This disease affects thousands of people who rarely find a diagnosis, let alone a cure.
Charleston’s MUSC already has the gifted staff to provide neurological care, it is the machine to confirm their suspicions that they lack. Sydney is determined to change that. Her hope is that Operation Upright empowers the bright minds at MUSC to help patients in a way unlike ever before. She is a girl on a mission and her family will support her goal until she’s achieved it. However, her support goes well beyond her immediate family.
The family would like to give a special thank you to all of the organizations that have kept Sydney in their prayers, sent messages of encouragement, and have checked on in on all of them throughout Sydney’s diagnosis and surgery process. No written sentiment will ever fully express their gratitude.
Thank you for your support of Operation Upright. We look forward to giving elevated care to the patients of MUSC.
*This is an independent fundraising campaign benefitting the Medical University of South Carolina’s Department of Neurosurgery.
