My name is Gail Rossi, and I’m raising funds for someone who deserves a chance at a future.

I know scoliosis from the inside. It has shaped my entire life — from back issues that began at 11 years old, to major fusion surgery at 30, to seven complex and lengthy revision surgeries since then. Now 71 years old, I live with significant physical challenges, but also deep gratitude for the medical (and friend) support that has allowed me to remain part of the world. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m still here. I’ve written about my journey in my book on Amazon, 'Tilted Temple: My Life with Scoliosis', and have made it my life’s mission to support others with this condition. That mission now has a name: Nasser.

I met Nasser through an online scoliosis support community, and over the past few years he has become a dear friend. He is 25 years old, living in a small town in northern Morocco, with no qualified medical specialists who can treat his scoliosis. His condition has now reached a critical stage. In 2023, scans revealed a 90-degree spinal curve. Since then, things have continued to worsen.

Today, Nasser lives with constant debilitating back pain, breathing difficulties that disrupt his sleep, rib cage pressure on his heart, stomach, and internal organs; limited mobility, and the dire emotional toll of living in a community that does not understand his condition.

He is young, bright, educated, and trying to build a life. He recently completed his bachelor’s degree and has been preparing for a government job exam. Despite everything, he remains kind, thoughtful, and hopeful.

After sharing his medical scans with Dr. Hani Abdel Gawad, a renowned spine surgeon in Cairo, Nasser finally has a realistic surgical path forward. But the cost—approximately 20,000 euros—is beyond anything he or his family can reach.

This should not be the end of his story. At 25, Nasser should be working, dating, exploring, learning, and building a future — not losing mobility, breath, and hope. Access to medical care shouldn’t depend on geography or circumstance. This surgery could restore his quality of life and stop further deterioration before it becomes irreversible, or possibly even fatal.

I am hopeful that if you are reading this now, you might be motivated to do something to assist Nasser by contributing to our campaign. I promise, you will never meet a more grateful, kind individual, nor one more in need and deserving of help.

I have survived scoliosis because of the help I received, and I am determined that Nasser does not face this alone.

If you are able to donate, thank you — truly. If you can also share this fundraiser within your networks, that is deeply meaningful help as well.

With gratitude,

Gail