Donation protected
I have had the pleasure of knowing Nathan through meeting his Mom, Lisa, through a mutual friend. Lisa and I connected on many levels; of course, sharing the same first name, learning we are both Moms’ to twin boys and learning that Nathan actually became friends with my twin boys many years ago; meeting each other through their love of music and attending many shows in the Toronto area, and bumping into each other many times, as Nathan embraced his passion for taking photos at the shows. Nathan is 25 years old now and has worked as a Web Developer but because of his health, he has not been able to work steadily for the past 2 years.
Lisa had recognized when Nathan was around the age of 9, that he wasn’t bending like the other kids on his baseball team. Nathan was diagnosed with scoliosis and kyphosis and was followed as a child at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and then at the Toronto Western Hospital as a young adult.
Through the years, Nathan’s condition worsened and in March 2016, Nathan decided to have corrective surgery. The surgery was a gruelling 9 hours at Toronto Western Hospital with the best surgeon in Canada where the spine was straightened and rods were put in from vertebrae T3 to L2. At first, the surgery was a success but a month later, Nathan had a spontaneous fracture above the rods, just below his neck. Hence more disappointing news, more surgery would be required to correct Nathan’s setback. August 2016, another gruelling surgery was performed on Nathan; to the gut-wrenching news, the surgery was not successful.
Which brings us now to a referral to Dr. Lawrence Lenke at the New York Presbyterian Spine Hospital. After meeting with the doctors and Dr. Lenke, it was determined they could help!
Nathan has been in New York since the end of April, for preparation for his scheduled surgery on May 14th. Nathan had his first surgery on April 30th, where he was put into halo traction. He will remain in traction until his surgery. The goal for the halo traction is to slowly lift Nathan’s neck up from where it was fractured and to also gently and slowly stretch out the spinal cord to minimize trauma during his surgery. Attached to the halo is a pulley system where weighted bags are hung; first starting with 5lbs and increasing twice a day with a goal weight of 30lbs before he goes to surgery. The May 14th surgery will be a 10-12 hour long procedure.
Nathan has endured many years of setbacks, many years of excruciating pain, many years of not being able to embrace his passion and dreams.
I post this page for any support we can provide to Nathan. My wish is to provide Nathan with funds to use when he can, to help him fulfill his dreams. Whether it’s to travel when he can, or to pursue his passion for photography or for him to pay it forward to a cause he believes in. I want to give, with your help, Nathan something to look forward to, something to stay positive for, something to feel empowered about.
Nathan and his family also welcome your prayers and strength! THANK-YOU VERY MUCH!!
Lisa had recognized when Nathan was around the age of 9, that he wasn’t bending like the other kids on his baseball team. Nathan was diagnosed with scoliosis and kyphosis and was followed as a child at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and then at the Toronto Western Hospital as a young adult.
Through the years, Nathan’s condition worsened and in March 2016, Nathan decided to have corrective surgery. The surgery was a gruelling 9 hours at Toronto Western Hospital with the best surgeon in Canada where the spine was straightened and rods were put in from vertebrae T3 to L2. At first, the surgery was a success but a month later, Nathan had a spontaneous fracture above the rods, just below his neck. Hence more disappointing news, more surgery would be required to correct Nathan’s setback. August 2016, another gruelling surgery was performed on Nathan; to the gut-wrenching news, the surgery was not successful.
Which brings us now to a referral to Dr. Lawrence Lenke at the New York Presbyterian Spine Hospital. After meeting with the doctors and Dr. Lenke, it was determined they could help!
Nathan has been in New York since the end of April, for preparation for his scheduled surgery on May 14th. Nathan had his first surgery on April 30th, where he was put into halo traction. He will remain in traction until his surgery. The goal for the halo traction is to slowly lift Nathan’s neck up from where it was fractured and to also gently and slowly stretch out the spinal cord to minimize trauma during his surgery. Attached to the halo is a pulley system where weighted bags are hung; first starting with 5lbs and increasing twice a day with a goal weight of 30lbs before he goes to surgery. The May 14th surgery will be a 10-12 hour long procedure.
Nathan has endured many years of setbacks, many years of excruciating pain, many years of not being able to embrace his passion and dreams.
I post this page for any support we can provide to Nathan. My wish is to provide Nathan with funds to use when he can, to help him fulfill his dreams. Whether it’s to travel when he can, or to pursue his passion for photography or for him to pay it forward to a cause he believes in. I want to give, with your help, Nathan something to look forward to, something to stay positive for, something to feel empowered about.
Nathan and his family also welcome your prayers and strength! THANK-YOU VERY MUCH!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Forret
Organizer
Gilford, ON
Nathaniel Ebel
Beneficiary