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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The C&S Patient Education Foundation, also known as |
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Conquer Chiari, is dedicated to improving the experiences and |
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outcomes of those suffering from Chiari and syringomyelia through |
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education, awareness, and research; and |
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WHEREAS, Chiari Malformation is a serious neurological |
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disorder that occurs when the bottom part of the brain, the |
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cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord; |
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this puts pressure on both the brain and the spine and disrupts the |
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normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing a wide variety of |
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symptoms, including headaches, neck pain, balance problems, |
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trouble breathing, numbness, and chronic pain; one large study |
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showed that the vast majority of Chiari patients suffer from at |
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least five symptoms; and |
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WHEREAS, Affecting more than 300,000 people in the United |
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States, Chiari can strike both adults and children; many patients |
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undergo brain surgery in an attempt to keep symptoms from |
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progressing, but surgery is not always successful; and |
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WHEREAS, Syringomyelia is a related disorder in which a |
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fluid-filled cyst, or syrinx, develops inside the spinal cord, |
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sometimes stretching nerve tissue and resulting in permanent nerve |
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damage and paralysis; while syringomyelia can occur after a spinal |
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cord injury or other traumatic incident, it is most commonly caused |
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by Chiari, and one analysis estimated that the disorder affects |
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between 100,000 and 200,000 Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, To date there has been very little research done to |
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answer fundamental questions about Chiari and syringomyelia, and |
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medical experts still disagree about underlying causes, diagnoses, |
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and treatment options; however, Conquer Chiari is working to change |
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this by advocating for increased awareness of Chiari and its |
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consequences; and |
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WHEREAS, The nonprofit organization aids the medical |
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community and maintains a website offering sufferers the most |
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comprehensive source of information available about Chiari and |
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related topics; in addition, Conquer Chiari holds annual |
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fund-raising walks in various locations across the country, with |
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the next walks scheduled for Texas in Plano, Cibolo, and Houston in |
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2011; and |
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WHEREAS, The notable contributions of Conquer Chiari are |
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helping to educate people about these disorders and are providing |
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invaluable support to those facing diagnosis and treatment, and the |
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organization and its admirable goals are indeed worthy of |
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commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Conquer Chiari for its efforts in behalf |
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of those with Chiari and syringomyelia and encourage all Texans to |
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learn more about these serious health issues; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Conquer Chiari as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |