Triveda Harris is a motivational speaker, author, and stroke survivor who uses her platform, the Believe in the Journey podcast, to discuss her experiences with Chiari malformation. She shares her journey of resilience while living with this incurable neurological condition.
Key aspects of Triveda Harris’s message include:
* A Chiari warrior. She describes herself as a “Chiari malformation warrior” and actively participates in Chiari Awareness Month activities each September.
* Focus on faith and resilience. Harris often speaks about how her faith in God and a stubborn, determined attitude helped her push through personal struggles. She credits her survival of a stroke and subsequent diagnosis to divine protection.
* Advocacy and awareness. Through her podcast and social media, she discusses her personal experience with Chiari, the symptoms, and the daily challenges of living with the condition. She seeks to raise awareness and support others with invisible illnesses.
* Turning pain into purpose. Harris states that she wears her scars “like jewelry, not for show; but as a reminder of what I’ve overcome.” She uses her experiences to inspire others and helps others write their own stories of healing through her publishing company, Wings of Transformation Publishing.
You can find content featuring Triveda Harris and her journey with Chiari malformation on various platforms:
* The Believe in the Journey podcast: Episodes of her podcast, which feature her story and other inspirational guests, are often promoted on her social media.
* Social media: Follow her on Instagram (@triveda_harris78) and Facebook (Ms.Veda and Believe In The Journey with Triveda Harris) to see her posts and videos. She has been active in discussing her journey there for years.
* Queen Angela Substack: An article titled “Believe in the Journey | Spotlight on Triveda Harris” highlights her journey of transforming resilience into a message of hope
.Chiari malformation is a condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. The most common form, Type I, occurs when part of the cerebellum is pushed down through the opening at the base of the skull into the spinal canal. This can put pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord and disrupt the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
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Causes
The causes of Chiari malformation can differ by type:
* Congenital: Most Chiari malformations are present at birth. In Type I, the cause is often an abnormally small or misshapen skull that crowds the brain. In Type II, it is nearly always associated with spina bifida.
* Acquired: In rare cases, Chiari malformation can develop after birth due to an injury, infection, or excessive drainage of CSF.
* Genetic: There is evidence that Chiari malformations may run in families, suggesting a genetic component. Some genetic syndromes also include Chiari malformation as a feature.
Types of Chiari malformation
There are four primary types, classified by the severity and the parts of the brain involved:
* Type I: The most common type, it involves the cerebellar tonsils extending into the spinal canal. Symptoms may not appear until late childhood or adulthood, and many people have no symptoms at all.
* Type II: Also known as Arnold-Chiari malformation, this type affects infants with spina bifida. Both the cerebellum and brainstem extend into the spinal canal.
* Type III: A rare and severe form where a portion of the cerebellum and brainstem protrudes through an abnormal opening in the back of the skull. It is usually diagnosed at birth and has a high mortality rate.
* Type IV: A very rare and serious type where the cerebellum is underdeveloped or incomplete. It is often fatal for infants.
Common symptoms
The symptoms depend on the type and severity of the malformation and can include:
* Headaches: Often severe, they typically get worse with coughing, sneezing, or straining. The pain is usually located at the back of the head and neck.
* Neck pain: Chronic pain or stiffness in the neck.
* Balance problems: Unsteady walking, poor coordination, and dizziness.
* Numbness and tingling: Sensations of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
* Swallowing difficulties: Trouble swallowing, gagging, or choking.
* Other symptoms: Vision problems, hearing issues like tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and problems with fine motor skills can also occur.
Complications
Chiari malformations can lead to other neurological complications, including:
* Hydrocephalus: A buildup of excess CSF in the brain due to obstructed fluid flow.
* Syringomyelia: A fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) forms within the spinal cord, which can damage the spinal cord and cause pain, weakness, and stiffness.
* Scoliosis: An abnormal curvature of the spine, which can be caused by a syrinx.
* Tethered cord syndrome: A condition where the spinal cord attaches to the spine and stretches, causing nerve damage.
Diagnosis and treatment
* Diagnosis: Doctors use a patient’s medical history and symptoms, along with imaging tests like an MRI, to diagnose Chiari malformation.
* Treatment: In cases without symptoms, doctors may recommend regular monitoring. For those experiencing symptoms, treatments include medication for pain management or surgery to relieve pressure and restore CSF flow. The most common surgical procedure is posterior fossa decompression, where a small piece of bone is removed from the back of the skull.
