For Jewel McGee, senior basketball player for the Randolph Lady Raiders, the biggest battle of her life didn't happen on the court. Two years ago, Jewel was diagnosed with a Type 1 Chiari Malformation—a rare structural defect in the brain that changed everything.

Chiari Malformation is a condition where the skull is abnormally small or misshapen, causing the brain tissue to extend into the spinal canal. In Type 1, the most common form, symptoms often appear in childhood or adolescence. “I had personally never heard of Chiari Malformation,” Jewel shares. “I am so fortunate to have had the ability to take an MRI and meet a doctor who understood exactly what I had and how to fix the problem.”

Jewel's journey began with symptoms she didn’t initially recognize as serious. “I had headaches since the seventh grade,” she recalls. “I played an instrument called the oboe, which requires a lot of pressure, so at first, I thought that was the reason.” But even after dropping the oboe, the headaches continued. “They were splitting headaches, bursts of pain that would last a short amount of time,” she explains. It wasn't until one day, after jumping on a trampoline and experiencing a particularly bad headache, that her parents insisted on an MRI. Jewel initially thought their concern was overblown, but the test would reveal a life-changing diagnosis.

“The day I found out, I was on my way to a summer workout with my dad,” she remembers. “He pulled over to tell me that the MRI results showed I had Chiari Malformation. Hearing the word ‘surgery’ wasn’t worrying until I realized it was going to be performed on the back of my head and involve my brain.”

Jewel's surgery was successful, but the recovery was challenging. “I pushed to be out of the hospital after the first night. It was pretty miserable, but the nurses were so helpful,” she says. Back home, her days were filled with rest and movies, gradually regaining strength. “I had to spend the rest of my summer inside, but after a couple of weeks, the wound was healing, and I had mobility in my neck again. Soon, I started being active again. It was difficult, and a bit scary, but in the long run, I’m so glad I continued with athletics and athletic performance.”

The physical recovery was only part of the battle. Returning to school was another hurdle. “There were a lot of mental challenges I wasn’t prepared for,” Jewel admits. “I felt like I was falling behind in school and struggled to explain why I felt so tired or frustrated.” But through it all, Jewel found strength she didn’t know she had. “I learned how easy it is to feel sorry for yourself and how important it is to overcome those thoughts. I also learned to appreciate everything in my life and to have more compassion for others.”

Nearly two years post-operation, Jewel says she feels great. “The correction went quite well, and I rarely get headaches now,” she says. “That surgery served as a wake-up call to take better care of myself and to have more compassion for others.”

Her experience has inspired her to raise awareness about Chiari Malformation. “For a long time, I disliked talking about this unless it was with close friends or family,” Jewel admits. “But now I understand that this goes beyond just my experience. There are people all over the world struggling with this condition, and it’s important to bring awareness not just for Chiari, but for all neurological conditions.”

Jewel has become an advocate, getting involved with the Chiari Conquerors, a group dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those affected by the condition. “I found this group through research I did after surgery,” she explains. “They’ve been active since 2004, raising awareness and sponsoring research to help people understand Chiari better. Their website is full of great resources for anyone with questions.”

This year, Jewel will be participating in the Conquer Chiari Walk, an event aimed at raising awareness and funds for research. “I saw this walk as an opportunity to engage with others of similar experience and to do my part in raising awareness,” she says. “The idea that there are people out there suffering like I did, whether due to lack of knowledge, inability to reach a doctor, or not knowing how to ask for help, makes me want to participate. Community is where it all starts, and I want to continue to be a part of this one.”

Jewel McGee’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of community. As she continues to lead on the basketball court, she is also leading a charge to raise awareness for a condition that has shaped her life. Through her story, she hopes to inspire others to join her in supporting the cause and making a difference, one step at a time.

Join Jewel at the Conquer Chiari Walk in Jacksonville, Alabama on Saturday, September 28 to help bring awareness to a condition that affects so many. Together, Randolph can walk for a cause and show the power of community.

To sign up to walk with Jewel, visit: conquerchiari.org/ccwaa/sites.html

To learn more about Chiari Conquerors, visit their website at: Click Here