This Woman Survived 6 Major Brain Surgeries And Now Wants To Be A Doctor

It’s pretty terrifying being told that you need surgery for anything, let alone being told that you need to have brain surgery. In 2012, Claudia Martinez was just an undergraduate student studying at the University of Houston when she was diagnosed with a rare condition that would change everything.

Claudia Was Diagnosed With Chiari Malformation

Claudia went to a doctor about having severe headaches that made her feel as though she couldn’t feel her limbs sometimes. It was terrifying for her, but she got her diagnosis pretty fast and was referred to a brain surgeon. They advised that she would need to have her first brain surgery within a week.

What It Could Do To Her

The reason they had to act quickly is because, if they left it untreated, she could end up totally paralyzed from the neck down. Chiari Malformation is a condition by which the brain tissue extends to the spinal cord, which is why paralysis is a major concern with this illness.

She Had Six Brain Surgeries And Suffered A Stroke

By 2017, Claudia had undergone six brain surgeries, but she also suffered from a stroke at one point which made her paralyzed from the neck down. She had to re-learn how to talk, walk, and eat. Her stomach was also left partially paralyzed, and she had to sustain herself from a feeding tube.

She Recovered And Is Pursuing A Career As A Doctor

She has slowly recovered from this and undergone several more surgeries. She remained hopeful and a fighter even though it got tough, she carried on. She has since decided to pursue a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Claudia is an inspiration, as she has pushed through and now wants to help others in her situation.