3 Young Brothers in Indiana Are Diagnosed with the Same Rare Brain Abnormality: 'It’s Pretty Scary’

Mar. 15, 2025

The Niece Brothers.Photo:Whitney Niece

Whitney Niece

Three young brothers in Indiana were all diagnosed with the same rare brain abnormality.

According toMayo Clinic, Chiari malformation is “a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal” due to a portion of the skull being misshapen or too small. Many people with the abnormality never exhibit symptoms or require treatment. However, those with symptoms commonly experience headaches, neck pain, imbalance, dizziness and trouble with swallowing.

Less common symptoms include tinnitus, slow heart rhythm, scoliosis and breathing issues.

Lincoln Niece.Whitney Niece

Per a March 2024 interview with theGreenfield Daily Reporter, Lincoln, Norrin and Remley — who were 10, 5 and 2 years old, respectively, at the time — have undergone “multiple procedures and surgeries” over a short span of time. The outlet reported that Remley fell ill in June 2022 and was later diagnosed with Chiari malformation.

Meanwhile, Lincoln began having headaches when he was around 5 years old, but they were overlooked due to his congenital heart defects. He too was then diagnosed with Chiari malformation in February 2023 and scheduled for surgery the following month.

Around the same time, Remley’s symptoms intensified and he was scheduled for surgery in August 2023. Amid Remley’s surgery, Norrin began to have headaches and underwent surgery himself in January 2024.

The surgery, called Chiari malformation decompression, involves removing a piece of the skull to “sort of disimpact the area,” Whitney told theGreenfield Daily Reporter.

According the outlet, Norrin and Remley experienced complications after the surgery which required them to be monitored for an additional amount of time.

Norrin Niece.Whitney Niece

At the time, Whitney told the outlet that her sons were clear of any additional surgeries or procedures, but needed to follow a “two feet on the ground rule” to avoid hitting their heads.

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Remley Niece.Whitney Niece

The Nieces are currently participating in the Extra Life fundraiser, which is a program of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Ron’sfundraising page, which states that this is his 12th year with the charity, is in support of Riley’s Children Foundation. He has so far raised $1,869 of his $5,000 goal.

“As many of you know this past year has been a pretty crazy year for our family. Three brain surgeries in one year is a long, hard journey for any family to undergo, but we made it through with the love and support of our family and friends,” Ron wrote about the fundraiser in a Sept. 11Facebookpost. “We are raising money for the Riley Children’s Foundation of Indianapolis. We will be gaming for 24 hours straight on November 3rd!”

source: people.com