A Carson Scholar Conquers Neurological Disorder and Organizes a Fundraising Walk

Carson Scholar Megan Killpatrick, 12, plays select soccer and lacrosse through the Green Hornets and swims for the Shipley’s Choice Dolphins each summer. And, like most Severna Park athletes, she takes her studies seriously as a seventh-grader at Severna Park Middle School. 

But there is more to Megan than meets the eye as there is a maturity level beyond her years due to an illness called Chiari Malformation that she was diagnosed with at age 7. 

After an initial diagnosis of scoliosis, further testing at Johns Hopkins Hospital determined that Megan also has Chiari Malformation, a serious neurological disorder. 

Through Conquer Chiari, Megan has found a way to give back by being the event director for the upcoming Conquer Chiari Walk Across America to be held at Kinder Farm Park on Sept. 17.  So far Megan has raised over $6,000 through corporate sponsorships and already has 100 registered walkers. 

The Killpatricks have created a team of neighbors, friends, and other families affected by Chiari to help them launch the very first Maryland Conquer Chiari Walk.  There will be 47 Conquer Chiari Walks taking place in 32 states on the same day.

Megan was lucky to be diagnosed so quickly because the condition can be incredibly painful.  Generally, Chiari patients are only diagnosed because of the pain and even then, until recently, it could take months for a diagnosis to be made.

In the six years since Megan had her second surgery, life has entered a new rhythm for the family.

“Nothing has really changed. Except that we have a lot more doctor’s appointments,” said Megan's mother, Cheryl Killpatrick.

“It did open our horizons. I mean, the people we have met through Conquer Chiari, they are amazing. Some of them have it so much worse than I did.  Because they caught it before I developed a lot of symptoms, I didn’t have that kind of pain,” said Megan.

When asked whether the money raised from the walk was for more research, Cheryl Killpatrick said that her biggest hope for the walk would be to raise awareness.

“We have been putting fliers up all over the place because it is a walk for all of Maryland. And we were putting one up in Bowie when this woman came up and saw it and was so excited.  She thought she was all alone.  She had never met anybody who even knew what it was, much less someone who had been diagnosed with it,” said Megan.

In many ways, Megan is just like any pre-teen girl in Severna Park.  She laughs quickly and easily.  She loves chocolate chip cookies and is as at home on a soccer or lacrosse field as she is in the classroom. 

But she feels an added responsibility that few kids her age feel.  Because she knows what how blessed she is to be healthy again, she believes she has a responsibility to help others, to do more and to give back. Register for the walk at Conquer Chiari Walk Across America.