My 12-year-old daughter, Emmalee, is facing a challenge no child should have to endure — she has been diagnosed with progressive scoliosis, a condition that causes a painful and worsening curvature of her spine.

Emmalee is a vibrant, passionate, and incredibly dedicated competitive dancer, training in every style — contemporary, acro, tap, hip hop, open, musical theater, and en pointe. Dance is her passion and her dream, and she pours her heart into every performance. But now, her spine’s rapid progression is putting that dream at risk.

After months of monitoring and multiple X-rays, we’ve watched her curves increase dramatically despite bracing and using Schroth Method Physiotherapy exercises:

Feb 2024: 15° thoracic / 11° lumbar

June 2025: 38° thoracic / 24° lumbar

Oct 2025: 50° thoracic / 30° lumbar

Her orthopedic team has confirmed that spinal surgery is necessary to prevent further progression and to protect her lungs, heart, and overall quality of life.

Why We’re Choosing Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT)

We are raising funds to help Emmalee receive a procedure called Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) — a groundbreaking, motion-preserving surgery that can correct her spinal curve without permanently fusing her spine.

Traditional spinal fusion surgery — the most common treatment for scoliosis — uses metal rods and screws to lock the spine in place. While it can straighten the curve, it also eliminates natural flexibility, which can have lifelong consequences for a growing, active child.

VBT offers a motion-preserving alternative. Instead of fusing the spine, it uses a flexible cord system that gently straightens the curve as the child grows, allowing the spine to remain mobile and natural.

Here’s what makes VBT the best option for Emmalee:

Preserves Mobility: She’ll be able to bend, twist, and move — essential for a dancer.

Why Timing Is Critical

Emmalee currently qualifies for VBT, but her eligibility is time-sensitive. This procedure must be performed while a patient is still growing, so the tether can guide the spine’s correction as the body matures.

If done too early, there’s a risk of overcorrection. If done too late, the tether may not work effectively or could fail altogether.

VBT is most successful for patients who are skeletally immature (Risser 0–3, Sanders digital hand score <5) — which Emmalee is right now. Her window for this life-changing opportunity is limited. Delaying surgery could mean losing the chance for this less invasive, motion-preserving procedure entirely.

When timed correctly, VBT can allow the spine to correct naturally through growth, resulting in better long-term alignment and a more natural look — outcomes that are especially important for a young dancer whose body is her art form.

Finding the Right Surgeon and Managing the Journey Ahead

We are currently consulting with surgeons in Miami, West Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and New Jersey to find the best fit for Emmalee and to move forward while she still qualifies for VBT. Because this procedure is performed by only a small number of orthopedic specialists, insurance does not cover it, and the estimated self-pay cost estimate is approximately $120,000.

In addition to the surgery itself, there will likely be travel and lodging expenses for out-of-state consultations, the operation, and recovery — all while we do our best to minimize disruption to Emmalee’s school and dance commitments.

How You Can Help

The cost of surgery, travel, and recovery is far beyond what our family can manage alone. Every donation — no matter the size — brings us one step closer to getting Emmalee the care she needs to stand tall, stay healthy, and dance again.

Your kindness, whether through a donation, sharing this page, or offering words of encouragement, means more than we can express.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us give Emmalee the gift of movement, confidence, and a pain-free future.

❤️ With gratitude,

Christina (Emmalee’s Mom)

VENMO - @ChristinaNelson0309 (6112)