Support Allyson’s Scoliosis Surgery
Donation protected
Allyson and Daniel are facing a $58,000 bill for Allyson’s scoliosis surgery in May. Your support will help Allyson get a new, innovative surgery that will maintain her mobility and health!
Following text from Allyson:
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a side-to-side curvature of the spine. Looking at the spine from the back, it can form either a C-shape, or, in my case, an S-shape from two opposite curves. Mild scoliosis curvatures often don’t cause any issues, but severe curves can lead to chronic pain, impaired breathing, and physical deformity.
Scoliosis has been a part of my life since I was a kid. From ages 11-14, I wore a hard plastic back brace 23 hours a day in an attempt to stop my curves from worsening as I grew. Although bracing seemed to work back then, my spine has continued to curvethroughout the last 14 years.
Facing Surgery
I’ve seen multiple experts who all have the same opinion: it is inevitable that my curves will continue to worsen as I age, which will most likely lead to life-disrupting pain and deformity. Surgery is my only option to avoid that outcome.
But traditional spinal fusion surgery, which would fuse my spine into one long, rigid bone nearly down to my pelvis, would limit my flexibility and could turn my very active lifestyle into a more sedentary one.
ASC--an Innovative New Surgical Option
As I researched my options, I found out about an exciting new surgical possibility: Anterior Scoliosis Correction, or ASC. This surgery involves attaching a flexible cord to the vertebrae to hold the curves in a straighter position. The flexible cord allowsthe spine to maintain full flexibility, eliminating many of the common negative side effects of fusion. Plus, as a less-invasive surgery, ASC results in less blood loss and requires half the recovery time of fusion.
What will your donation cover?
Because ASC has only been used for scoliosis on adults for a few years, insurance companies consider it “experimental” and won’t pay for it. But I believe it’s my best option for maintaining my active lifestyle and overall health. This means that my husband Daniel and I are faced with paying for the 47,000EUR ($58,000) out of pocket. This fundraiser is to help us bridge the gap between our savings and serious financial trouble as we try to get to that amount by mid-April.
Any little bit you can donate will help immensely! And if you know someone who may want to help, please do share this campaign through facebook, email, text, or word of mouth. Thank you so much for your support!
Following text from Allyson:
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a side-to-side curvature of the spine. Looking at the spine from the back, it can form either a C-shape, or, in my case, an S-shape from two opposite curves. Mild scoliosis curvatures often don’t cause any issues, but severe curves can lead to chronic pain, impaired breathing, and physical deformity.
Scoliosis has been a part of my life since I was a kid. From ages 11-14, I wore a hard plastic back brace 23 hours a day in an attempt to stop my curves from worsening as I grew. Although bracing seemed to work back then, my spine has continued to curvethroughout the last 14 years.
Facing Surgery
I’ve seen multiple experts who all have the same opinion: it is inevitable that my curves will continue to worsen as I age, which will most likely lead to life-disrupting pain and deformity. Surgery is my only option to avoid that outcome.
But traditional spinal fusion surgery, which would fuse my spine into one long, rigid bone nearly down to my pelvis, would limit my flexibility and could turn my very active lifestyle into a more sedentary one.
ASC--an Innovative New Surgical Option
As I researched my options, I found out about an exciting new surgical possibility: Anterior Scoliosis Correction, or ASC. This surgery involves attaching a flexible cord to the vertebrae to hold the curves in a straighter position. The flexible cord allowsthe spine to maintain full flexibility, eliminating many of the common negative side effects of fusion. Plus, as a less-invasive surgery, ASC results in less blood loss and requires half the recovery time of fusion.
What will your donation cover?
Because ASC has only been used for scoliosis on adults for a few years, insurance companies consider it “experimental” and won’t pay for it. But I believe it’s my best option for maintaining my active lifestyle and overall health. This means that my husband Daniel and I are faced with paying for the 47,000EUR ($58,000) out of pocket. This fundraiser is to help us bridge the gap between our savings and serious financial trouble as we try to get to that amount by mid-April.
Any little bit you can donate will help immensely! And if you know someone who may want to help, please do share this campaign through facebook, email, text, or word of mouth. Thank you so much for your support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Cathy Obermeier
Organizer
Marshfield, WI
Allyson Obermeier
Beneficiary
