Main fundraiser photo

Charlie's Journey With Scoliosis

'It’s a journey we’re going to see through’

The parents of a Ballinderry tot had no choice but to confront their biggest fears, when their beautiful baby boy was diagnosed with infantile scoliosis at just four months-old.

Infantile scoliosis is a rare spinal condition which causes a curve in the spine. If left untreated, it can deform the chest wall and crush the lungs, heart and other organs. This can result in decreased life expectancy and can sometimes be fatal.

Donna and Jody Ferris prayed for a miracle after their son Charlie was diagnosed with the condition but it was through their own determination and research that they discovered Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, which specialises in Scoliosis treatment.

Little Charlie was only three months-old when Jody and Donna became concerned about a bump on his back. In the beginning, mum Donna dismissed it, putting it down to the way Charlie was sitting.

On November 8, the couple’s fears were realised when he was diagnosed with infantile scoliosis. Charlie had a 28 degree curve in his back. The County Derry parents were told that the baby’s back could correct itself so doctors took a ‘wait and watch’ approach. If it progressed, a plaster jacket would be needed, and worst case scenario- surgery.

Over the course of three months, the family prayed that Charlie wouldn’t need any treatment. In February, Donna and Jody returned back to Musgrave where they received the devastating news that the curve had progressed to 42 degrees. Donna and Jody were told that Charlie would need to go into a plaster jacket for four months at a time, then a brace and eventually needing rod surgery.

Desperate to avoid painful surgery, the couple then started to do their own research. It was then that they made the decision to seek treatment in Shriners Hospital Philadelphia.

On April 3, Jody and Donna along with their children Joey (9), Rosie (7), Tommy (5) and little Charlie made the first of many journeys to Philadelphia where Charlie got a special Mehta cast fitted.  “The doctors told us that they have been able to get the curve in his spine down to 15 to 20 degrees. When we heard that we were just so relieved. We knew then that we had made the right decision to take him to America,” she said.

It is hoped that the specially designed cast, which needs re-fitted every eight weeks, will correct the curve in his spine and potentially prevent the need for invasive surgeries in the future.

The couple have now created a Facebook page called ‘Charlie's journey with infantile scoliosis’ in the hope that by sharing Charlie’s journey, it will provide comfort to other parents out there in the same situation.

Since Charlie was diagnosed, things have happened so quickly. No one knows how long the treatment will take, however Jody and Donna are determined that this is a journey that they are ‘going to see through.’

Donations 

  • Julie Dillon
    • £20 
    • 4 yrs

Organizer

Charlie's Journey
Organizer

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.