The bond of family, both by blood and the ones we choose, is a formidable thing, and when challenging circumstances arise, we show up to support each other.

My best friends, Sarah and Tyler Klym, are the magnificent parents of two extraordinary girls, Emily and Sadie. I wish to share their story, in hopes that we can all help them on their new journey.

At just 13 years old, their youngest daughter, Sadie, is facing a great challenge in her life. She has significant and potentially debilitating scoliosis.

If you do not know, scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. This condition is not uncommon and, in some cases, can result in life-altering consequences if left untreated.

Sadie has three curvatures in her spine, causing her mobility difficulties, chronic nerve pain, and restricted breathing, due to her right lung being unable to fully inflate.

Fortunately for Sadie, she has the opportunity to undergo surgery that will change her life.

Sarah and Tyler have worked diligently for months to secure a new innovative surgery to straighten Sadie’s spine, while maintaining some lumbar flexibility. Advocating for health care in our system and abroad, takes endless hours of following up on referrals, researching, and filling in applications. That effort has paid off in the form of being accepted by the Shriners Children's Hospital Foundation in Philadelphia. Sadie will be operated on by their world-leading spine surgical team, led by Dr. Samdani, on Oct 29. Sadie will receive a hybrid treatment consisting of two separate procedures, thoracic fusion and lumbar vertebral body tethering.

VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering) is a surgical procedure that will allow for more growth and movement than the traditional fusion technique. This surgery preserves motion in the lumbar curve, while her thoracic spine will be permanently fused with rods.

Sadie will need to travel to Philadelphia and stay there with her parents for almost 4 weeks. Their gratitude is in abundance towards the Shriners Foundation, as Sadie’s surgical cost is completely covered. Despite this tremendous gift, there are still many areas where financial donations would support this family. Just to name a few, there are food expenses, vehicle rental in Philadelphia, Tyler’s flights, and, of course, the monthly bills that continue.

For the past year, they have been making many trips for specialist appointments and physiotherapy in Saskatoon, and there will be many more to come. Sarah closed her salon back in August, and it will remain closed to aid Sadie through her recovery. As her friend, I have made it my goal to ease their financial burden. My request for you is to please give what you can to help this family in need. Please share this link on all your socials so we can spread the word far and wide.

Lastly, despite the pain and upcoming fears, Sadie’s loving heart rises above all, and chooses to help others. Sadie wants to raise awareness to please check your children’s spines, as scoliosis affects approximately 2-5% of kids and is most commonly diagnosed at the age of 10-13 years old. Here is a quick video to help you check your kids’ spines! Here is a video of the two different procedures that Sadie will be receiving.

Sincerely Stephen and Stefanie Kluserits, co-written by Emily Klym.