Help Emilia to stand straight again!

Hello, my name is Emilia Marchitan and I am 12 years old. Very atypical for an ambitious teenager, but yes, I am dependent on a corset (that no longer works) and also endless physical therapy programs. I am diagnosed with cervical-thoracic scoliosis, one of the most complicated types of scoliosis. The good news is that there is treatment and it consists of two surgeries that require periodic maintenance. These interventions are very expensive for my family, that's why I'm asking for your help, which is very important to me.

My life story begins before I was born, like any other. A beautiful beginning, full of love, peace and the smell of spring. At not even six years old, I was accidentally diagnosed with cervical-thoracic scoliosis (the most visible and complicated type of scoliosis).

The degree being small, the doctors recommended wearing a corset and doing a lot of specialized gymnastics and swimming. In the last year, however, my scoliosis has progressed enormously, my movements have become slower, I get tired when I carry my bag or doing any small activity, I have given up dance lessons, I cannot run with other children or participate in games that involves movement, and my posture bends more and more, the corset and gymnastics becoming ineffective.

After several visits to doctors, the conclusion and the only solution is emergency surgery, because the scoliosis angles tend to increase.

During the investigations and preparations for the intervention, it was discovered that I also have Arnold Chiari malformation (which postponed the intervention), being urgently operated to remove the compression and to exclude other risks for scoliosis.

The intervention on the Arnold Chiari malformation was successful and I recovered quite quickly and I thank God for the strength, my beautiful smile and the zest for life that I have.

Today, I am mentally preparing for the scoliosis surgery. I know it's more complicated, time-consuming and with a longer recovery – all these don't scare me, I know I can handle it and I will make it. I'm not ashamed of my crooked posture or the attention of curious people, I don't give up when scoliosis doesn't allow me to do some activities ... do you know WHY? Because I have a DREAM - to become a pediatrician, to have my clinic, where I can help children and my mom always tells me: "No DREAM is too big and if one really wants it, sooner or later it will happen!" and I am willing to work for my dream.

I am very grateful to God that I live in such an advanced period of development and that there is treatment for my diagnosis, however, the interventions cost a lot of money.

Please help me raise this amount so that I can get back to my natural physical form and eliminate any further risk to my internal organs and body. I really want to realize my dream, to be useful and helpful to society. Even now, I am involved in all kinds of activities at school and I love what I do.

Thank you for giving me a few minutes of your life to read my story. And like any story, I want to write a happy ending. BE A PART OF MY STORY, BE MY CHANCE!