With your help, “I can climb the mountains, one day!”

"I want to climb mountains one day!!", that's what my daughter says to us every so often. Our daughter, Bianca, the youngest of three siblings is 11 years old, and is pretty clear on what she wants to do in life. She's adventurous, free spirited, loves animals, sports, art, music and singing. We couldn't have asked for such an amazing human being.

About a year ago, she was diagnosed with Scoliosis which is a condition of the spinal column. The change came suddenly and without warning. Her spinal column is currently in an "S" shape and so far the deviation is increasing as she continues to grow.

The Vertebrae are the 33 individual bones that interlock with each other to form the spinal column. The vertebrae are numbered and divided into regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx. Only the top 24 bones are moveable; the vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx are fused.

There are two types of Scoliosis, my daughter has what is called “Structural Scoliosis”. Meaning that the condition threatens proper posture and over time, If not treated can have a serious effect on the body, internal organ, nerves and damage the spinal column amongst other things. Scoliosis is caused by various disorders or is hereditary, in her case.

A candidate for surgery must have the following conditions; an “S” shaped structural Scoliosis with over 50 degree spinal curvature. An early diagnosis and treatment is essential, and it has come to a point where surgery is becoming the only option available for her. Bianca currently has 52 degrees (T8) Thoracic and 58 degrees (L6) Lumbar, this has dramatically changed in less than a year which was 45 degrees Thoracic and 56 degrees Lumbar.

The procedures either therapeutic or surgical are very costly even with a proper medical plan. We’ve tried to provide the best treatment possible with our limited income, but it’s not enough to correct the curvature so far. She has an opportunity that may well give her a “normal” life without going under the knife and it looks promising. The Schroth Method, has been used as a viable option for many patients with Scoliosis for over fifty year with incredible results. It involves intensive therapies along with breathing, stretching and core exercises that help the body correct the curvature naturally. This methodology is done by a certified doctor and therapist with knowledge of this system. The treatment was originally developed in Germany and there are doctors that perform these adjustments in the United States. We currently live in San Juan and this treatment is not available here, so traveling is a must, expenses are included along with the total cost of the therapies in the amount that we are hoping to collect. The donations received, however insignificant you might think they are, will certainly be used for transportation, therapies, body brace and care by the certified professionals attending Bianca.

If all else fails unfortunately then, the donations received will be used for her spinal operation. This is her last option.

But this can only be done with your help and generosity. The time you take to participate, read and give will help our daughter Bianca, receive the best care possible, so in a not so far future she can climb any mountain anywhere.

We thank you for your kindness, and together we can help her reach her goals.