Financial Support for Alexis’ Surgery Funds

My name is Alexis Richards, I am 17 years old, and I have scoliosis. I was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 9, but it wasn’t until I was 12 that I was finally prescribed a back brace to help manage my curves and slow their growth. I tried to wear the brace for as long as I could, but because of puberty and a rapid growth spurt I quickly grew out of it, and due to the cost I never got a new one. Since then, my family has been going through a really rough time, and we’re extremely tight on money. With my parents’ recent divorce I now live with my parents back and forth, and finding the money for just a regular scoliosis checkup alone has been almost impossible, let alone enough money to cover my surgery. I am currently unable to access Medicaid, but even with the help of insurance, we still can’t afford it. Having scoliosis is expensive; it needs to be monitored regularly for even the slightest of changes, as curves of different severities each require unique care. Money raised through this fundraiser plays an integral part in helping to lower the costs for me and my family. All donations will go towards managing and monitoring my scoliosis, including regular orthopedic check ups, x-rays, MRI’s, and my surgery in 2020. *I currently have a set surgery for beginning of June of the 2020, summer, so it is highly imperative that I am able to have even the slightest financial access towards the funds.* My spine has 2 curves: one at the top and one at the bottom. My top curve is 50° and my bottom curve is 56°. Spinal fusion surgery is usually used as a last resort, and is recommended to those who have one or two curves that are 45° or more. This is because curves of that size tend to steadily worsen over time, causing a lifetime of pain and a severe spinal deformity. I have recently been told that I need to have this surgery, but my family can’t afford it. I’ve been a member of my high school’s varsity dance team since the beginning of my freshman year, and have been dancing for a total of 15 years. As a junior in high school, getting help as soon as possible is my top priority. I want to honor my commitment to my team and keep dancing until I walk across that stage on graduation day, because it’s what I love to do! But it’s hard for me to keep doing what I love when it causes some daily issues. Seeing an orthopedic doctor regularly and having this surgery would finally let me dance free of pain!; something I can barely remember anymore. But this fundraiser isn’t just for me, it’s for my family. We can’t afford this by ourselves, so please, anything you can give would mean the world to us. No matter what happens, we’re staying positive throughout my whole journey!! :) Thank you for donating if you did, and for spending your time reading this, I appreciate it very much. :)