A Beacon of Hope: Kristi and Oliver’s Journey with Stem Cell Therapy
A few months ago, co founder and director of Coming Together for a Cure Blake Benton sat down with Kristi Carrara, whose son Oliver has Becker Muscular Dystrophy to discuss the difficulties of having this diagnosis, seeking stem cell treatments, and being inspired by Ryan’s story to take matters into her own hands.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
In 2016, Kristi Cararra’s world turned upside down when her seven-year-old son, Oliver, was diagnosed with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. What began as a few signs of fatigue and some frequent falls soon became a stark reality.
“I was flabbergasted,” Kristi recalled. “No one is ever expecting something like that to come up.”
Despite the sensitive nature of the diagnosis, the doctors’ approach was clinical and detached, which only added to her troubles. To add insult to injury, the only standard treatment was steroids—something that made Kristi uneasy because of their harsh long-term side effects.
Finding Hope in Unlikely Places
Determined to find a better option, Kristi dove into research, searching for any hope beyond the conventional treatments. That’s when she stumbled on Ryan’s story. His inspiring journey with stem cell therapy provided hope, showing that there could be more options available, even if that meant digging for them.
“[Following Ryan’s story] gave me the confidence to take that leap,” Kristi said. “Most of the time people wait until [they’re] really in dire straits. But I’m in the mindset of ‘why wait?’ If this is something that can help, why wait until he gets to a point where [Oliver] is unable to function? I wasn’t willing to wait.”
Kristi chose to be proactive; she was going to tackle Oliver’s condition head-on.
The Decision to Travel
Kristi’s next step was, according to some, a bold one: traveling to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama for treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs for short). Despite skepticism from their longtime cardiologist, who questioned the costs and effectiveness of this option, Kristi remained resolute.
When asked what he thought, Oliver’s own response, “it’s worth a try,” was heartening.
After traveling to South America, the experience in Panama was emotional. Kristi described the setting as having a breathtaking view of the bay, which contrasted the stress of the situation. But even in this environment, Oliver was brave.
“He didn’t complain, he wasn’t nervous,” Kristi said. “He just had a straight face, popped out of his seat, and we went about our business.”
Unlike her own doctors back home in the states, the ones there, she noted, were very professional and accommodating.
“The community of people was great. I can’t say enough about the Stem Cell Institute. Great follow up—and they’re still checking in consistently to see what’s going on.”
The Impact of Stem Cell Therapy
Since returning from Panama, Kristi has seen real changes in Oliver’s life. While it’s been a tough road, his increased mobility has precipitated a noticeable shift in Oliver’s outlook and ambitions. He now dreams of attending Michigan State University and exploring his passion for trains—a future that once seemed out of reach.
“It’s a dream come true for me—that college is an option,” Kristi said. “Which, it could have been an option before. Kids go to school with Duchenne. But it’s that much scarier. [When you have this disease] You limit yourself because you’ve been told from an early age that you’re going to die. It’s really heavy to have this diagnosis over the top of you.”
Kristi’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of daunting challenges, there’s always room for hope. With treatments like stem cell therapy, there’s a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.
A Call for Hope and Action
Kristi’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of exploring new possibilities. Her experience underscores the importance of continuing to research and advocate for innovative treatments. She encourages other families facing similar challenges to stay hopeful and explore every available option.
“Especially if we have treatment options like this, we can give people the chance to live,” Kristi said. ‘We can give people hope that it’s not over with this diagnosis.”
Her message is clear: don’t give up hope, and don’t be afraid to seek out new treatments that might offer a better quality of life.
Kristi and Oliver’s journey is far from over, but their story is a beacon of hope for others navigating the complexities of rare diseases. It’s a reminder that with determination, support, and a willingness to explore new treatments, it’s possible to find hope and carve out a path to a brighter future.
Coming Together for a cure is proud to support Kristi and other families like hers battling rare diseases. For more information on stem cell therapy, visit our page, The Science.
For the full video featuring Kristi, visit our YouTube page.
