Scoliosis Surgery for our 11 year old daughter Gaelle

In February 2019, our 11 year old daughter Gaelle was diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis. Scoliosis is a curve in the spine with a shape of an S and sometimes a C.

Upon diagnosis, she had a thoracic curve of 36 degrees. The specialist recommended wearing a night-time brace, which she did. After almost 5 months, her x-ray showed that her curve has regressed drastically. Her thoracic curve went up to 50 degrees with an additional lumbar curve of 26 degrees. Gaelle suffers from acute back pain. She can't walk or stand up longer than two minutes. She needs to sit down regularly to rest her back.

Gaelle is an active and sporty girl with many passions. She loves netball, singing, tap dance, and playing the violin. Unfortunately, she had to put the dance and the violin on hold due to her back pain. We hope she can return to her love of music at some point in the future.

Her other interests include science, especially anything to do with space. She has a deep passion to be an astronaut, and we have no doubt she has the will and desire to achieve anything she puts her mind to. Gaelle is an excellent student with a very creative mind so the universe is the limit if her body is willing. We hope to give Gaelle every chance she can to realize her dreams.

As worried parents we have extensively researched the treatment options for Gaelle. From the traditional treatment such as bracing and fusion surgery which can be done only when the child has finished growing around 14 years old, to the latest and the least invasive procedure the Anterior Scoliosis Correction (ASC), and Gaelle is a perfect candidate for it based on her age and curvature. Waiting for fusion surgery is not an option for Gaelle as her curve is getting worse rapidly. Consequently, this may affect her lungs and heart in the long term.

During this journey we have been in contact with a number of groups that rally around families of members with Scoliosis, and we have come to the consensus that the best treatment with long term benefits with the least side effects is ASC. Unfortunately, this procedure is currently not available in New Zealand, so it has to be done overseas.

So this brings us here to express our gratitude for any help you may offer towards our goal of the life changing surgery for our Gaelle, to free her of pain and have the chance to resume a normal life as every young girl deserves.