Audrey's Scoliosis and Health Fund
Donation protected
Hello everyone, first I'd like to say that asking for help and sharing all this information with you is very out of my comfort zone. I am the kind of person that enjoys helping others and tries to always have a smile on my face even when I'm in a lot of pain.
When I was 15 I was diagnosed with Scoliosis (see x-ray above). I had a 21 degree curve in my thoracic spine and 42 degree curve in my lumbar spine. At the time the doctors wanted to do sugery on me by putting metal rods in my back. I did lots of research on this surgery and it freaked me out. I found that a lot of people that got the surgery had to do more surgies after and were still are in pain. I knew there had to be another way. I started doing yoga and chiropratic care. These two things were helping some, but not enough. About a year ago I was in a lot of pain. Not only was I feeling pain in my lower back, but also in my heart and I was having a difficult time breathing. I got another xray and found out that my thoracic spine had increased to 32 degrees of a curve. My heart, lungs, and organs are being squished, also I had developed arthritus in my thoracic spine. :/ The doctor knew that I didn't want to do sugergy so he recommended physical theraphy for the pain. The physical therapist was helping a little bit and I would also get a massage once and awhile that also helped me to tolerate the pain.
Ten years later after being diagnosed I am still in a lot of pain. I began doing more research about alternative ways to help people with scoliosis. The best method that I came across was the Schroth Method. http://www.schrothmethod.com/ This method helps retrain your body how to sit, stand, and sleep properly. I've been wanted to do this method for the past 2 years, but haven't been able to find anyone close to me that does it. Recently I found a woman located in Palo Alto that has been teaching the Schroth method for 30 years. She has scoliosis herself and was able to correct her curve by 20 degrees and live without pain. I contacted her about a week ago and she told me that since I am still pretty young there is a lot of room for improvement. This was very encouraging to me. I really want to do this program and think it would help me a lot. It would be so great to not have to live in pain almost every day. The cost of the program is $8,500. The program will consist of me going to Palo Alto for 4 days and working on my back 2 hours in the morning and 3hours in the evening each day. I will be working on my Ergonomics, bio-mechanics, postural corrections, correction of deviations in the lateral or sagittal plane, Correction of deviations in the frontal plane, breathing patterns, respiratory functions, Re-education of static-dynamic equilibrium and gait training, and more. After the program I would be transfered to Grand Wood, an orthostist. From there I would be measured for a Wood Cheneau Rigo Scoliosis Brace that I would wear 23hours a day. The brace would help with possible correction of the curves and keep the scoliosis stabilized. It would mean so much to me if I could do this program and live my life with less pain and possibly smaller curves.
On top of my back causing me a lot of pain, in April I was in the emergency room for 3 days and now am on temporary disabilty. :/ My body completely freaked out mentally and physically. I was deficent in almost all my vitamins and minerals, I was sleep deprived, my body was dehydrated and completly inflamed. The reason for this is that I have an auto immune disease, which is effecting my thyroid, my gastro/intestinal function, and my complete immune system and I'm also on the verge of becoming diabetic. :/
Below is a chart of my recent blood work.
I am following a strict Paleo diet, I try to excerise 4 times a week, and I've been on a nutrition plan for the past two months that helps me receive all the minerals and supplements I need. This program however is not covered by insurance and is very expensive. It costs $1000 every 2 months. My family has helped me cover the first 4 months, but it is becoming a financial burden and we could use some extra financial help. I had no idea that I was so unhealthy and was deficent in so many areas. I don't want to end up in the ER again and want to have my life back. Being on disibilty is very hard for me. I barely get enough money to pay all my bills and live on. Since this happened in April I've also been dealing with major depression. I've never really been a depressed person or experienced it before, but it is a very hard thing to overcome. I'm trying to take my life day by day and keep my head up hoping that things will get better.
Thanks for listening to my story and if you can help in any way I'd really appreciate it.
Thank you
When I was 15 I was diagnosed with Scoliosis (see x-ray above). I had a 21 degree curve in my thoracic spine and 42 degree curve in my lumbar spine. At the time the doctors wanted to do sugery on me by putting metal rods in my back. I did lots of research on this surgery and it freaked me out. I found that a lot of people that got the surgery had to do more surgies after and were still are in pain. I knew there had to be another way. I started doing yoga and chiropratic care. These two things were helping some, but not enough. About a year ago I was in a lot of pain. Not only was I feeling pain in my lower back, but also in my heart and I was having a difficult time breathing. I got another xray and found out that my thoracic spine had increased to 32 degrees of a curve. My heart, lungs, and organs are being squished, also I had developed arthritus in my thoracic spine. :/ The doctor knew that I didn't want to do sugergy so he recommended physical theraphy for the pain. The physical therapist was helping a little bit and I would also get a massage once and awhile that also helped me to tolerate the pain.
Ten years later after being diagnosed I am still in a lot of pain. I began doing more research about alternative ways to help people with scoliosis. The best method that I came across was the Schroth Method. http://www.schrothmethod.com/ This method helps retrain your body how to sit, stand, and sleep properly. I've been wanted to do this method for the past 2 years, but haven't been able to find anyone close to me that does it. Recently I found a woman located in Palo Alto that has been teaching the Schroth method for 30 years. She has scoliosis herself and was able to correct her curve by 20 degrees and live without pain. I contacted her about a week ago and she told me that since I am still pretty young there is a lot of room for improvement. This was very encouraging to me. I really want to do this program and think it would help me a lot. It would be so great to not have to live in pain almost every day. The cost of the program is $8,500. The program will consist of me going to Palo Alto for 4 days and working on my back 2 hours in the morning and 3hours in the evening each day. I will be working on my Ergonomics, bio-mechanics, postural corrections, correction of deviations in the lateral or sagittal plane, Correction of deviations in the frontal plane, breathing patterns, respiratory functions, Re-education of static-dynamic equilibrium and gait training, and more. After the program I would be transfered to Grand Wood, an orthostist. From there I would be measured for a Wood Cheneau Rigo Scoliosis Brace that I would wear 23hours a day. The brace would help with possible correction of the curves and keep the scoliosis stabilized. It would mean so much to me if I could do this program and live my life with less pain and possibly smaller curves.
On top of my back causing me a lot of pain, in April I was in the emergency room for 3 days and now am on temporary disabilty. :/ My body completely freaked out mentally and physically. I was deficent in almost all my vitamins and minerals, I was sleep deprived, my body was dehydrated and completly inflamed. The reason for this is that I have an auto immune disease, which is effecting my thyroid, my gastro/intestinal function, and my complete immune system and I'm also on the verge of becoming diabetic. :/
Below is a chart of my recent blood work.
I am following a strict Paleo diet, I try to excerise 4 times a week, and I've been on a nutrition plan for the past two months that helps me receive all the minerals and supplements I need. This program however is not covered by insurance and is very expensive. It costs $1000 every 2 months. My family has helped me cover the first 4 months, but it is becoming a financial burden and we could use some extra financial help. I had no idea that I was so unhealthy and was deficent in so many areas. I don't want to end up in the ER again and want to have my life back. Being on disibilty is very hard for me. I barely get enough money to pay all my bills and live on. Since this happened in April I've also been dealing with major depression. I've never really been a depressed person or experienced it before, but it is a very hard thing to overcome. I'm trying to take my life day by day and keep my head up hoping that things will get better.
Thanks for listening to my story and if you can help in any way I'd really appreciate it.
Thank you
Organizer
Audrey Kenyon
Organizer
Sacramento, CA