John’s Road to Recovery

Hi! I am John Tyros, 25 years old living in Greece.

I was only 6 months old when my journey started. I was diagnosed with spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia congenital; SED congenital with scoliosis. It is a rare medical condition that causes serious physical disabilities.

MY STORY

At the age of 6, I underwent my first surgeries in Greece (2002). Afterwards, I started hormone therapy for 6 months that was crucial for my normal growth. At the same time, I was wearing a brace for 15 hours a day, taking it off only to shower and sleep, a procedure that I had followed for over a year. This orthopedic brace prevents the continuation of scoliosis, but as has been proven and scientifically is not always possible, as in my case.

Many multi-day surgeries followed in Greece at the age of 9 and 12, without improving my health. However, hope for recovery appeared a year later in America.

I travelled with my family to America to undergo another series of difficult and challenging surgeries. The application of halo traction with its metal screws supporting the perimeter of my skull and a posterior spinal fusion were some of the orthopedic surgical procedures that I went through during that time.

Unfortunately, despite all the tremendous effort from my family and the American medical team, my recovery was impossible due to a medical error in a previous operation in Greece.

At this time, while being 25 years old, doctors have made it clear. It is my only chance for a last surgical operation that can help me fully recover. So with the help of an excellent medical team, we decided to proceed with the Vertebral Column Resection (VCR) for Deformity surgery.

Ι will travel with my family to the United States to begin this multi-step procedure. During this time, I’ll have to remain hospitalized for multiple weeks. Unfortunately, the medical and travel expenses are staggering. That is why I created this campaign, asking for your help in this long journey of mine.

Having this surgery will not only help me recover but it will also allow me to do things that I wasn’t able to do before (driving a car, helping my father at the farm, swimming with my friends, lift heavier things and more) and all the things that will allow me to have a normal life. Οn top of all, this surgery will help me live a normal life.

There is no amount too small or too big. Your participation, of any kind, will be of great importance to me and be most appreciated. All donations will be used for medical bills, travel costs related to my condition, and my upcoming hospitalization.

I would also appreciate it if you could share my story with anybody you know. The more donations, the quicker I can achieve my goal.

With gratitude,

John

*You can also make donations to Greek Bank EUROBANK S.A.

• NAME: Tyros Ioannis
• IBAN: GR9502602600000890200897097
• BIC: ERBKGRAA