(WKBN) -- It's an exciting, yet difficult week for a local woman dealing with a rare condition called Chiari Malformation.

Hannah Rockenhauser was born with the condition, but didn't know more about it until recently. She's having surgery Thursday, fighting for herself with the goal of also wanting to uplift others.

"They are going to put a duro patch in and a titanium plate in to replace the back of my skull to give my brain more room, and so my CSF flow can flow more to my brain," Rockenhauser said.

Chiari Malformation is a condition that causes severe headaches and even facial paralysis. Rockenhauser likes to say she has "too much brain to contain." She hopes the surgery relieves the pressure.

"I hope it's beatable. I've seen people with the surgery benefit out of it. They don't hav

See Full Page