About Raven

Raven was born on July 15th, 1994, to Tiny and Gail Spratlin. Despite living with several health conditions, the most significant of which is Ring 4 Chromosome Disorder, Raven refused to let these challenges define her. Her positivity, happiness, and unwavering strength made her a beacon of inspiration to everyone she met. Raven’s love for her family, friends, and all people shined through in everything she did. She shared a close bond with her sister, Ashley, and described growing up with her parents as perfect. Their mom, Ashley, and herself were inseparable, like three peas in a pod, always doing everything together in a close-knit, best-friend relationship. Her grandmother, Mary, also played a pivotal role in her life, stepping in after her mother’s passing to provide care and support, including securing the medical equipment Raven needed. Raven’s dad, whom both she and Ashley described as the glue that held their family together, has been a steady source of love and strength for them. The family’s bond is evident, and they are united by their deep love for one another, especially for Raven. Raven and Ashley also share a younger sister, Carolynn, through their father and his partner, Coco.

Raven had a special fondness for animals, particularly cats, dogs, and birds, and her favorite colors are red and purple. She had big dreams like anyone else—one of her goals was to visit Hawaii, and she aspired to become a cheerleading coach. Raven was also an avid fan of arts and crafts, enjoying making personalized gifts for others. She loved celebrating holidays, especially Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and took great joy in decorating and creating a festive atmosphere. Raven’s independent spirit and vibrant personality made her no different from anyone else, despite the challenges she may have faced. She participated in sports and remained active in her community, always embodying the love and compassion that Jesus taught. She was the type of person who would give her last possession to help someone in need.

Her sister, Ashley, had always looked up to Raven, admiring her as the perfect big sister and role model. Raven taught Ashley empathy, and Ashley has always seen her sister as a guiding light in her life—a positive influence who has shaped her into the person she is today. Raven’s ability to brighten the lives of those around her is the reason why Selfless Core Outreach was founded. She was the epitome of selflessness, always giving with pure love and intent. Raven's memory continues to inspire others and remind us all of the power of love, family, and perseverance.

Raven’s main conditions are Ring 4 Chromosome Disorder, and

Tetralogy of Fallot.

Ring 4 Chromosome Disorder

● A rare genetic disorder that occurs when the ends of the 4th chromosome break and fuse together to form a ring, resulting in the loss of genetic material. (For Raven specifically, a part of her ring is completely missing.)

● Although there are many conditions that Ring 4 Chromosome Disorder can

cause, the conditions she experiences are:

○ Growth delay (primordial dwarfism), intellectual disability, microcephaly

(smaller head than normal), cleft palate (an opening leading to her nasal

passage in the roof of her mouth), congenital anomalies (such as

Tetralogy of Fallot), and low birth weight (when Raven was born, she was

so small she would only fit in a doll’s clothes!)

Tetralogy of Fallot (Repaired)

● A congenital heart defect that occurs when four specific abnormalities in the

heart and blood vessels prevent enough oxygenated blood from reaching the

lungs:

○ Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole in the wall between the heart's two lower chambers

○ Pulmonary stenosis: A narrowing of the pulmonary valve and main pulmonary artery

○ Overriding aorta: The aortic valve sits directly on top of the VSD, receiving blood from both ventricles

○ Right ventricular hypertrophy: The muscular wall of the lower right

chamber of the heart is thicker than normal

○ Blue Baby Syndrome (a condition caused by many congenital heart defects, including Tetralogy of Fallot)

● In the 1940’s, Vivien Thomas played a major role in developing a procedure called the Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt used to treat blue baby syndrome, alongside surgeon Alfred Blalock and

cardiologist Helen B. Taussig. Despite never earning his medical degree, he began working as a laboratory assistant for Alfred Blalock. He started developing the shunt by performing surgeries

on dogs.

● On November 29th, 1944, he helped perform the first "blue baby" operation on Eileen Saxon, who, like Raven, had Tetralogy of Fallot. Unfortunately, Eileen had many other health conditions, so despite two shunt operations, she didn't survive. However, she paved the path for blue babies, and Raven is a shining example of a Tet repair that has lasted almost thirty years.

Type 2 Diabetes

● A condition that occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or does not use insulin properly.

Tilted Voice Box

● The thyroid cartilage around her voice box is slightly tilted forward, causing many of the issues she experiences with swallowing.

Narrowing of the Airway (airway stenosis)

● These are birth defects that have caused narrowing in several places within Raven’s respiratory system. These defects cause many of the issues she

experiences with swallowing. These narrowing's are called:

○ Laryngeal stenosis: narrowing of the voice box.

○ Tracheal stenosis: narrowing of the windpipe.

○ Bronchial stenosis, narrowing of the bronchi.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (Left & Right Sides of Face)

● Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain disorder that causes sudden, severe facial pain. TN affects the trigeminal nerve, which controls sensation and motor functions in the face. The pain can feel like an electric shock, and it's usually triggered by something touching the face or teeth.

Malrotated Lower Intestine

● A birth defect that occurs when the intestines don’t form properly in the abdomen during fetal development. This causes the intestines to twist or settle in the wrong part of the abdomen. Raven has thankfully not experienced any blockages due to this condition.

Ptosis of the Left Eye (Repaired - Slightly Too Much Removed - Eye Does Not Fully Open or Close)

● This condition, also called blepharoptosis, is a condition where the upper eyelid droops or falls. This condition only affects Raven’s left eye. It was attempted to be repaired, but slightly too much skin was removed, which is why her left eye does not fully close.

Pacemaker (Right Side)

● In 2022, Raven’s congenital heart defect worsened. She was experiencing heart failure, but it was controlled by a pacemaker that was installed to help the

heart chambers beat in sync to pump blood more efficiently.