Sophia McCaslin Spinal Treatment
Our daughter, Sophia, is 14 years old and has danced ballet for years. We noticed that she had started slouching a bit more these past few months, and she was noticeably "crooked." X-rays showed that she has scoliosis, and we scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. It took 6 months to get the appointment, and in that time her spine continued to fall at an alarming rate, so much so that the doctor said he needed to perform surgery within the next month. Her curve is at 46* now, and she is in the beginning of postural collapse. The surgery would entail spinal fusion and the insertion of metal rods on each side of her spine. It would be a difficult recovery and she would never be the same. We have already been through this very surgery with another daughter, and she still struggles with pain and weakness secondary to the surgery, so we have firsthand knowledge of what type of recovery this surgery involves.
We learned from a friend about a non-surgical approach that includes non-invasive, exercise-based scoliosis treatments. Our friend's daughter has attended this intense therapy and has not only been able to avoid the surgery, but she now also has a much straighter spine and relief from the pain she suffered before the therapy. Her daughter also had severe scoliosis and was able to recover using this non-surgical approach. She has had great success, but this therapy is not covered by our insurance and we simply do not have the money to utilize this approach. Due to the expensive hospitalizations with our other daughter and increased financial expenses due to my wife's cancer (along with other needs of our other children), we are struggling to stay current with our "normal" monthly expenses. We are trying to raise enough to cover the 2-week intensive exercise treatment program, along with equipment needed at home as she continues her treatment.
According to both the surgeon and the doctor employing the non-surgical treatment, Sophia does not have the time to wait for us to try to save the money required. She needs to be in treatment on October 14, 2018, which leaves us in an urgent place to get the funds together so that she will be able to start the program. It will probably be a difficult year and 1/2 process as she continues the therapy at home, but she will be able to be in school and enjoy all the activities of high school life. If we can avoid the pain of such invasive surgery and its long term effects, it will be more than worth it.
Below is a picture of Sophia's spine and a video that discusses some of the methods of this therapy and success stories.
