Ridgewood Alumna’s Four-Year Medical Nightmare Needs Community Support

Ridgewood High Graduate Victoria Fiore Seeks Urgent Funds for Spinal Surgery to Treat Debilitating CSF Leak

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – The Ridgewood community is rallying around one of its own, Victoria Fiore (RHS Class of 2012), whose life has been consumed by a grueling four-year medical mystery. What began as sudden dizziness and tinnitus rapidly progressed into a terrifying descent into severe neurological and visual impairment, leaving her unable to work, drive, or care for herself.

Victoria, whose mother Ellen Fiore was a respected teacher’s aide and substitute teacher in the Ridgewood School District, is now facing critical spinal surgery for a rare condition—and urgently needs financial help to cover the overwhelming costs.

The Medical Maze: From Migraine to Brain Surgeons

Victoria’s nightmare began with a cascade of bizarre, debilitating symptoms:

• Bouncing Vision: Her sight constantly moved in time with her pulse, making simple movement and daily tasks impossible.

• Cognitive Decline: She experienced a rapid, dementia-like deterioration in her cognition.

• Initial Diagnosis: Doctors first suspected vestibular migraine, but when treatments failed, the search moved to inner ear conditions.

• SCDS Scare: She was diagnosed with Bilateral Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SCDS), a condition requiring complex brain surgery. Victoria and her mother paid out-of-pocket to travel cross-country to see specialists, only to receive conflicting advice, leaving them at a devastating standstill.

The Breakthrough Diagnosis: Spinal CSF Leak

After years of confusion and costly travel, an MRI in August 2025 finally provided a crucial answer: a Spinal Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak, later confirmed by a CT myelography. Doctors suspect this leak, possibly caused by a connective tissue disorder, is the root cause of her crippling symptoms.

“To say my life for the last 4 years has been a living hell would be an understatement. I live in a constant state of confusion and dissociation and am constantly unable to see correctly or do basic tasks for myself,” says Victoria.

The Critical Next Step: Spinal Surgery Funding

Victoria has undergone two unsuccessful “blood patch” procedures to seal the leak. The last, best hope for recovery is specialized spinal surgery.

Despite countless doctor visits, interstate moves for treatment, and being denied disability by Social Security, Victoria’s insurance situation has catastrophically changed, jeopardizing her ability to get coverage for the life-changing procedure she needs.

Victoria is now facing the possibility of:

• Moving again, then flying back to Colorado for treatment that is now only two hours away.

• Having to pay for the expensive surgery and associated travel expenses entirely out-of-pocket.

A Plea for Ridgewood’s Support

Victoria’s sole caregiver and lifeline has been her mother, Ellen, who has moved three times in the pursuit of medical treatment and insurance coverage. Without her mother’s support, Victoria acknowledges she would likely require a nursing home.

This community connection is now more vital than ever. Victoria is reaching out to the Ridgewood community for donations to help fund the critical spinal surgery and associated travel expenses to seal the CSF leak and reclaim her life.

Link to fundraiser which explains my full situation: https://gofund.me/b2cb8cf98