Hi, my name is Emma and I am seeking dire ASC spinal surgery.

I am 20 years old and naturally developed scoliosis, discovered at 7 years old. It is now a severe condition that affects my posture, standing, walking, stamina, breathing, sleeping, growth, and organ function.

I was prescribed a Boston Back Brace from 2014-2019, which was supposed to help any growth from then-on be straight, and not correct curvature that had already taken place. I faced intense challenges socially, physically, and mentally; middle school is not an easy feat when you’re different. I pulled back from opportunities and fun in fear of my condition being discovered if someone were to bump into me. I couldn’t hug or get close to others, I couldn’t tie my shoes, I changed in a storage closet for gym classes, etc.; that was all on top of the pain.

Throughout these heavy burdens and knocks to my confidence and will to continue, I choose to get up every day. I graduated high school with a 94% average, workout 4+ times a week to stay mobile, and finished my accelerated college program with honors (my graduation is this June!). I try to keep up hope and positivity in the face of what could be either a life ending or life changing path.

In the past two years I have had to leave jobs due to my health and well-being deteriorating. I experience constant breathing difficulties, severe pain in my back, shoulders, and neck (so much so that I am unable to hold up my head many days), and internal organ pain from my stature being scrunched up. I am actively losing the ability and a future in the things I love to do.

After being horrendously chewed and spat out by the Canadian government’s healthcare system, our only remaining hope is to seek this intricate surgery in the US. I will be pursuing ASC spinal surgery in New Jersey, and although it has been the most promising option, we’ve been quoted around $300,000 CAD for this urgent surgery, outside of all the flights and recovery stays post-op.

I am a healthy, active, brave, accomplished young woman, with so much more to offer this world. I didn’t make a dumb mistake and hurt myself into this position, it was given to me without any fault of my own. These bills are scary to look at, and I, as well as my family, are asking, from the bottom of our hearts, for help. Donations, sharing my story, or helping raise awareness for my cause brings me one step closer to experiencing one day of my own without pain.

I can imagine that there are many questions to be answered, so please follow my Instagram/Facebook (emmasspine), and Youtube (eggolive) for more information and coming updates. During all of this, I have chosen to rely on my faith in Jesus and seek comfort and strength in Him. I am not able to fulfill these bills on my own, nor am I able to continue to live like this. I am looking for a miracle here. Thank you in advance for everything. God bless you.