Paula's story exemplifies resilience in the face of medical challenges. Born with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus, she has undergone numerous procedures throughout her life. Hydrocephalus is a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, and myelomeningocele is a birth defect of the spine and spinal cord. Despite these hurdles, Paula's unwavering spirit has propelled her forward.

May 7th, 2023 – a critical day when 44-year-old Jose found himself in the Emergency Department, unresponsive and having been witnessed to have had multiple seizures. A CT scan uncovered a significant epidural collection resulting from past surgeries. In the absence of family or friends, a prompt decision by the medical team led to a Left frontoparietal craniectomy, evacuation of epidural hematoma, and exploration of the subdural space.

JM, a 35-year old male, was body surfing on Carbon Beach in the middle of the night when a wave unexpectedly hit him. He suddenly couldn’t feel or move his right arm, and for a brief moment, JM lost consciousness. Alone at 2 am, JM was rescued from the ocean by 2 young girls who heard his cry for help and immediately got him to safety.

DT had been experiencing worsening balance over the past few weeks, and one morning he became so unsteady that he fell and hit his head. He sustained a severe injury to his face, so he went to the ER where he got a CT of his head. In addition to a nasal bone fracture, the CT revealed a significant incidental finding—a left cerebellar hemisphere mass, which was blocking the flow of his cerebrospinal fluid. This tumor was the probable cause of his balance problems, and he needed immediate surgical intervention to prevent the complete blockage of his fourth ventricle. Unfortunately, DT was uninsured and could not afford the necessary surgery. That is where INI comes in!

In late March, 2020 as COVID-19 cases were beginning to climb rapidly in the United States, the Institute of Neuro Innovation determined that one of the best ways to support our community during this time was by providing PPE to healthcare workers and others on the front lines in our fight against COVID-19.

With the help of everyone who donated to our PPE fundraiser, we were able to purchase over 1,000 masks! We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us—thank you! We are now distributing these masks free of charge on a daily basis to healthcare workers at local Los Angeles area hospitals whom have expressed need.

The Institute of Neuro Innovation’s first clothing/coat and blanket drive was a success! Thanks to the generosity of those who donated and the time and energy of the INI staff, board members, and supporters who put together and distributed the bags, we were able to provide sets of jackets, blankets, and other means of warmth to over 50 people in the Santa Monica and Los Angeles homeless community for Thanksgiving and the coming holiday season.

RZ, a middle aged woman, was admitted to the ER for back pain and sepsis (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body’s imbalanced response to an infection). Her pain had begun a few weeks earlier, gradually getting worse until the constant aching and intermittent sharp pain became unbearably severe. Imaging determined that she had a developing epidural abscess (infection) in her posterior lumbar epidural space. RZ needed immediate surgery, but she was homeless with no medical insurance or any means to pay for the necessary procedure. That is where INI came in!

RA became concerned when she suddenly experienced numbness in her face (including her forehead, cheek, and jaw) and some vision disturbances, like double vision. MRI spectroscopy revealed multiple areas of enhancing brain lesions that were highly suggestive of metastatic disease (cancer). An image-guided biopsy of one of her brain tumors was urgently needed to verify the diagnosis in order to determine the best course of treatment, as not all brain tumors are treated the same way. Unfortunately, RA was currently unemployed and dealing with financial hardship. She did have insurance, but it would not cover this necessary procedure. Fortunately, INI was there to help!

JB had been having chronic back pain for a few months along with some leg weakness, but his symptoms suddenly became rapidly worse. He went to the ER because along with acute paraparesis, he had urinary retention, rapid weight loss, and an “electric shock storm” of radiating pain from his back. A spinal MRI showed that he had a tumor on his spine that was causing severe central canal stenosis, cord compression, and spinal cord edema. With a diagnosis of metastatic cancer of the spine, JB knew he needed the surgery right away, but unfortunately did not have any medical insurance. Thankfully, JB connected with INI!

For the 2018 Holiday Season, INI will be partnering with local charities to assist our fellow Angelenos affected by the Woolsey Fire.

Help those that were devastated by the fires still celebrate and enjoy the holidays!

When we first met Diana, she had been fighting chronic back pain for over a decade. Throughout that time, she explored numerous treatments options, none of which worked. It was only in 2007 when she finally resorted to back surgery. Although this temporarily helped, her pain returned not long after.

BP, a middle aged woman, was admitted to the Emergency Department for neck pain along with hand tingling and weakness. Her symptoms had started a few months prior, after she had been involved in a bicycle accident. But when her symptoms began worsening at a staggering rate, with a sudden increase in stabbing pain, burning, and tingling, she knew something must be wrong. Imaging showed she had fractures on her C1 and at the base of her C2. Plus, there was a mass on C1 that was causing soft tissue swelling, edema, hematoma, and severe spinal cord compression. However, BP was homeless and did not have the means to pay for any medical care. Thus, INI was there to help!

HH had been walking with a cane due to his spinal stenosis when he slipped and fell and hit his head. He went straight to the ER because his fall left him with quadriparesis (weakness in his arms and legs) and diffuse paresthesia (tingling). After his initial consult with Dr. Vokshoor, HH was diagnosed with incomplete spinal cord injury and cervical disc disease with myelopathy. However, HH was dealing with financial hardship, so he could not afford the surgery that was necessary to prevent the inevitable severe disability. INI stepped in to remove the financial barriers he faced so that he could get his necessary, function-saving surgery.

JR was admitted to the Emergency Department for his numbness in hands, severe difficulty walking, and many falls. In the ED he collapsed, hitting his head and losing consciousness briefly. Not long after, he became unable to walk. The severity and quick progression of his symptoms showed that his condition was becoming dangerous and needed to be treated immediately. However, JR’s bare feet sparked a conversation in which the ED staff learned he was homeless. This man needed treatment ASAP, but had no means to pay for medical care of any kind let alone surgery. When INI learned of his situation, we were eager to help!