Help Treat Severe Scoliosis

Dear friends, we are raising funds for a non-surgical treatment for our daughter Paulina. She is 13 year old. In 2018, she was diagnosed with an S-Curve thoracolumbar scoliosis, with a Cobb angle of 64degrees and is twisting to her right. Her scoliosis is coupled with constant discomfort and pain. The bone/spine doctors we went to here in the Philippines said Paulina's case is for surgery already as the thoracic curve was more than 50degrees when it was first diagnosed. Because she was only 10 years old at that time, we were told to wait until her body is ready for the operation. She wore a brace for the interim period of waiting.

Because Paulina is in her pubertal growth spurt, the curves and twists in her spine continued to progress. Over two years later, in her most recent x-ray imaging, the curves measure at 80degrees-cervical, 150degrees-thoracic, and 95degrees-lumbar, and is still progressing. IMMEDIATE treatment is necessary to prevent the curves and twists from further worsening that will put Paulina's heart and lungs in grave dangers well.

Our family's deepest desire is for Paulina to be spared from series of surgery. (She is still growing, therefore, we were told that she might possibly undergo more than one surgery to adjust the rod and screws in the spine.) In December 2019, we found Scoliosis Care Centers (SCC) (www.scoliosiscarecenters.com) based in San Jose, California, USA. They provide revolutionary non-surgical scoliosis treatment that focuses on addressing the root cause of scoliosis using traction chairs to move the spine, spinal weighting for strengthening and a special brace which also moves the spine. Schroth method of exercises is likewise part of the treatment program.

We remain hopeful that even with huge curves, Paulina's spine will be somewhere near normal. But she needs to start with the treatment the soonest. Treatment will require an initial 4 weeks in-clinic in SCC. After the initial treatment, Paulina will need to return to SCC every after 3 months for 1 week at a time until she reaches full skeletal maturity. Therapy at home will be prescribed using specialized medical equipment SCC will make specifically for Paulina’s body and curves. Paulina is determined to be disciplined and do her best to straighten her spine without surgery.

Your help will enable Paulina to get started with the first 4-week treatment. The URGENT fund requirement for this round of treatment is USD33,500 to cover for root cause, flexibility and strength treatments, specialised testing (MRI case management), the medical equipment Paulina will need at home for therapies, and the brace. This amount excludes airfare, accommodation with food, and other incidental expenses.

With Paulina's spine condition, we also hope for the general public, especially here in the Philippines, to know more about scoliosis and the impact it has on the patient and his/her loved ones; that people will be educated on the different options for treatment and when to go for one; and that there is HOPE for patients with scoliosis.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your help.