- E
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Hello, friends. My name is Sarah Howard and my husband, Joshua, and I humbly ask for your support. Our beautiful, wily, fierce, creative, hilarious, musical, artistic, dancing, stubborn, passionate, “walks to the beat of her own drum” 13 year old, Siena, was diagnosed with severe idiopathic scoliosis. Left untreated, scoliosis can have the following consequences:
“Those who have scoliosis may have a *reduced life expectancy, poor respiratory function, and their growth can be stunted. Modern treatments for scoliosis have improved very little over the past 500 years, and they are met with poor results and frequent failure. Because of this many people have started to look for alternative scoliosis treatments and non surgical scoliosis correction.” Dr. Daniel Hersh, Scoliosis Correction Center.
*Siena's life in not in danger. "Reduced life expectancy" is referring to severe cases of untreated scoliosis when the back becomes excessively deformed, caused by a serious scoliosis spinal curvature, which can compress the organs in the body. Yes, severe scoliosis is Siena's diagnosis, but with hard work, prayer and your support, Siena will thrive. Additionally, severe deformity can develop which impacts daily activity for those with scoliosis. Depression and anxiety often accompanies adolescents (and adults) with scoliosis, especially as they wear a brace. If you live locally and see Siena, please kindly direct any questions about her scoliosis to Josh and me. Siena prefers not to be put on the spot with questions about her scoliosis or her brace. Thank you, friends.
After examining Siena's Xrays, her orthopedist regretfully informed us that Siena would most likely need spinal fusion surgery due to two spinal curvatures - one at fifty eight degrees and the other at sixty eight degrees; doctors do not like to see curvatures over twenty-five to thirty degrees. Clearly, Siena has a concerning situation. We were informed by the doctor that Siena would most likely need spinal fusion surgery: this means that two permanent, metal rods would be inserted along the length of Siena's spine that are attached to the spine with hooks and screws. Bone grafts are then placed around the vertebrae that are abnormally curved. The hope is that the bone grafting will encourage the spine to heal and straighten the curve.
After extensive conversations with doctors and reading testimonials from people who had spinal fusion surgery, we decided on an alternative approach. While some will have success with spinal fusion therapy, we are not confident in the long term affects of the surgery based upon the many testimonies we have read. Alternatively, Siena will receive intensive therapy from doctors using the CLEAR method including the following: chiropractics, massage therapy, Whole Body Vibration therapy (WBV), physical therapy, and she will wear a back brace twenty hours a day, including sleeping with it on through the night. Once every three to four months, we travel to one of the Scoliosis Correction Centers for Siena to receive personal, one on one care for a full week, weekends off and concluding with three more full week days the following week. Siena received her first round of treatment with the Scoliosis Correction Center in April 2021. We gratefully report that her curvature had a six degree improvement by the end of her treatment; however, she has a lifelong journey ahead of her and if she is not almost perfect with her at home physical therapy and wearing her brace, her curvature will revert to what it was before treatment.
Her most intensive years of treatment will most likely be for the next two to three years. Her spine will never be completely straight but her curvature should drastically improve so Siena will stay healthy and strong throughout her youth and adult life. She will always need to give her body extra care and attention, but our hope and prayer is to saturate her with all the love and support we can offer to her so she can preserver through this trial and this is, indeed, a trial for her and for our family.
We have shared our story and now we humbly ask for your help and please share this with as many people as possible.
First and foremost, we thank God for the beautiful, good and trustworthy work he does, even in the mystery of our suffering. There are never easy answers to explain suffering, but we are comforted and admonished by Jesus when he reminds us that while we WILL experience suffering and trials of many natures in this lifetime, he has overcome them all, though we may not see the fullness of that victory in this lifetime. We trust God with our Siena in faith. It is not easy, the future is unknown to us and there is very little we can control; there are no guarantees, but we choose to trust. Already we have been blessed by Siena's doctor, Dr Kaila Hersh. She is wonderful with Siena and she is one of the blessings we have received from God through this trial. Dr Kaila had severe scoliosis - worse than Siena's - and received the method of treatment Siena is now receiving. Dr Kaila's scoliosis is now so mild that only her chiropractor can discern her spinal curvature.
Secondly, we ask you for your prayers. Siena's treatments at the centers, at home and wearing her brace are difficult. This "new normal" is a tremendous adjustment for her. Please pray she can maintain the rigorous treatment and will adjust to wearing her brace, especially throughout the night.
Lastly, if you are able to offer your financial support in addition to your prayers, we would be so very appreciative. We were informed that our insurance will not cover the cost; however, we will submit the insurance claims anyway to our insurance company with the hopes for some reimbursement. We estimate that a full year of Siena's treatment will be $31, 762. Gulp. Yeesh. Say what? We take no responsibility if you just fell over when you saw the cost of Siena's first year of treatment. This will be the most expensive year because we purchased her brace and the first treatment included a thorough examination and assessment and X-rays.
We also have the expense of paying for accommodations, as we must travel out of state for treatment at one of the centers. I hunted down a fantastic hotel deal during Siena's first treatment; however, her next treatment is June 2021 and we will stay at a campground in our RV to save money. The warmer months will allow us to use the RV, but we will require a hotel for the winter treatment months. The treatment is absolutely draining and so while some kind souls invited us to stay with them during the treatment, we had to decline. Siena needs privacy post-treatment to recover from the intensity of her treatment and the reality of her situation. She completely crashes after each day and Siena was thankful for my foresight when she was able to return to a quiet, private
hotel room for the evenings.
Here is a breakdown of our expenses:
April 2021: treatment $6,862
brace $4,000
hotel accommodations $500 for 5 nights
June 2021: treatment $4,600 (regular price after first treatment)
campground accommodations $500 for 13 nights
The June 2021 cost will most likely be the most consistent cost for Siena's additional treatments. We project that Siena will need additional treatments in September and January 2021 and April 2022. After her treatment in April 2022, we will need to post another gofundme.
We know life is busy and there are multitudes of worthy causes to support through both prayer and finances. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and thank you for kindly considering to support Siena and our family through one of life's many curveballs (no pun intended). Please know that we love you all and keep you in our thoughts and prayers; we know many of you are likewise acquainted with sorrows that weary your bodies and hearts. Let us encourage each other and build each other us (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
For the Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save,
he will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing,
Zephaniah 3:17
God bless, peace and cheers,
Sarah, Joshua, Siena, Lúcia and Tova Howard
If you would like to learn more about the CLEAR method through the scoliosis treatment center we have chosen, please click on the link below.
https://scoliosiscorrectioncenter.com
“Those who have scoliosis may have a *reduced life expectancy, poor respiratory function, and their growth can be stunted. Modern treatments for scoliosis have improved very little over the past 500 years, and they are met with poor results and frequent failure. Because of this many people have started to look for alternative scoliosis treatments and non surgical scoliosis correction.” Dr. Daniel Hersh, Scoliosis Correction Center.
*Siena's life in not in danger. "Reduced life expectancy" is referring to severe cases of untreated scoliosis when the back becomes excessively deformed, caused by a serious scoliosis spinal curvature, which can compress the organs in the body. Yes, severe scoliosis is Siena's diagnosis, but with hard work, prayer and your support, Siena will thrive. Additionally, severe deformity can develop which impacts daily activity for those with scoliosis. Depression and anxiety often accompanies adolescents (and adults) with scoliosis, especially as they wear a brace. If you live locally and see Siena, please kindly direct any questions about her scoliosis to Josh and me. Siena prefers not to be put on the spot with questions about her scoliosis or her brace. Thank you, friends.
After examining Siena's Xrays, her orthopedist regretfully informed us that Siena would most likely need spinal fusion surgery due to two spinal curvatures - one at fifty eight degrees and the other at sixty eight degrees; doctors do not like to see curvatures over twenty-five to thirty degrees. Clearly, Siena has a concerning situation. We were informed by the doctor that Siena would most likely need spinal fusion surgery: this means that two permanent, metal rods would be inserted along the length of Siena's spine that are attached to the spine with hooks and screws. Bone grafts are then placed around the vertebrae that are abnormally curved. The hope is that the bone grafting will encourage the spine to heal and straighten the curve.
After extensive conversations with doctors and reading testimonials from people who had spinal fusion surgery, we decided on an alternative approach. While some will have success with spinal fusion therapy, we are not confident in the long term affects of the surgery based upon the many testimonies we have read. Alternatively, Siena will receive intensive therapy from doctors using the CLEAR method including the following: chiropractics, massage therapy, Whole Body Vibration therapy (WBV), physical therapy, and she will wear a back brace twenty hours a day, including sleeping with it on through the night. Once every three to four months, we travel to one of the Scoliosis Correction Centers for Siena to receive personal, one on one care for a full week, weekends off and concluding with three more full week days the following week. Siena received her first round of treatment with the Scoliosis Correction Center in April 2021. We gratefully report that her curvature had a six degree improvement by the end of her treatment; however, she has a lifelong journey ahead of her and if she is not almost perfect with her at home physical therapy and wearing her brace, her curvature will revert to what it was before treatment.
Her most intensive years of treatment will most likely be for the next two to three years. Her spine will never be completely straight but her curvature should drastically improve so Siena will stay healthy and strong throughout her youth and adult life. She will always need to give her body extra care and attention, but our hope and prayer is to saturate her with all the love and support we can offer to her so she can preserver through this trial and this is, indeed, a trial for her and for our family.
We have shared our story and now we humbly ask for your help and please share this with as many people as possible.
First and foremost, we thank God for the beautiful, good and trustworthy work he does, even in the mystery of our suffering. There are never easy answers to explain suffering, but we are comforted and admonished by Jesus when he reminds us that while we WILL experience suffering and trials of many natures in this lifetime, he has overcome them all, though we may not see the fullness of that victory in this lifetime. We trust God with our Siena in faith. It is not easy, the future is unknown to us and there is very little we can control; there are no guarantees, but we choose to trust. Already we have been blessed by Siena's doctor, Dr Kaila Hersh. She is wonderful with Siena and she is one of the blessings we have received from God through this trial. Dr Kaila had severe scoliosis - worse than Siena's - and received the method of treatment Siena is now receiving. Dr Kaila's scoliosis is now so mild that only her chiropractor can discern her spinal curvature.
Secondly, we ask you for your prayers. Siena's treatments at the centers, at home and wearing her brace are difficult. This "new normal" is a tremendous adjustment for her. Please pray she can maintain the rigorous treatment and will adjust to wearing her brace, especially throughout the night.
Lastly, if you are able to offer your financial support in addition to your prayers, we would be so very appreciative. We were informed that our insurance will not cover the cost; however, we will submit the insurance claims anyway to our insurance company with the hopes for some reimbursement. We estimate that a full year of Siena's treatment will be $31, 762. Gulp. Yeesh. Say what? We take no responsibility if you just fell over when you saw the cost of Siena's first year of treatment. This will be the most expensive year because we purchased her brace and the first treatment included a thorough examination and assessment and X-rays.
We also have the expense of paying for accommodations, as we must travel out of state for treatment at one of the centers. I hunted down a fantastic hotel deal during Siena's first treatment; however, her next treatment is June 2021 and we will stay at a campground in our RV to save money. The warmer months will allow us to use the RV, but we will require a hotel for the winter treatment months. The treatment is absolutely draining and so while some kind souls invited us to stay with them during the treatment, we had to decline. Siena needs privacy post-treatment to recover from the intensity of her treatment and the reality of her situation. She completely crashes after each day and Siena was thankful for my foresight when she was able to return to a quiet, private
hotel room for the evenings.
Here is a breakdown of our expenses:
April 2021: treatment $6,862
brace $4,000
hotel accommodations $500 for 5 nights
June 2021: treatment $4,600 (regular price after first treatment)
campground accommodations $500 for 13 nights
The June 2021 cost will most likely be the most consistent cost for Siena's additional treatments. We project that Siena will need additional treatments in September and January 2021 and April 2022. After her treatment in April 2022, we will need to post another gofundme.
We know life is busy and there are multitudes of worthy causes to support through both prayer and finances. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and thank you for kindly considering to support Siena and our family through one of life's many curveballs (no pun intended). Please know that we love you all and keep you in our thoughts and prayers; we know many of you are likewise acquainted with sorrows that weary your bodies and hearts. Let us encourage each other and build each other us (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
For the Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save,
he will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing,
Zephaniah 3:17
God bless, peace and cheers,
Sarah, Joshua, Siena, Lúcia and Tova Howard
If you would like to learn more about the CLEAR method through the scoliosis treatment center we have chosen, please click on the link below.
https://scoliosiscorrectioncenter.com