Enable Jessica's scoliosis treatment.

Jessica is 16 years old and was diagnosed with ‘Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis’ in September 2015. ‘Scoliosis’ is a condition that means the spine is abnormally curving (when you look front on to a person) and rotating. ‘Idiopathic’ means it is a type of scoliosis in which the underlying cause has not been identified.

After much research Jessica is confronted with 2 possible treatments.

The first is a wait-and-see approach: wait to see how big the curve gets, and if it reaches 45-50 degrees perform surgery - an operation called a ‘scoliosis spinal fusion’. A spinal fusion would not completely straighten her spine and there would be a permanent restriction of movement in her back as a result of the surgery.

The second treatment option is to proactively seek to address the cause of the scoliosis, as well as implement as soon as possible a range of physical therapies to straighten the spine long term and non-surgically.

While we wait-and-see, Jess is enduring constant discomfort and pain and finding it increasingly difficult to do many of the simple things a girl of her age can do, such as carry a school bag or stand up for more than a minute or two.

We have chosen to take the path of the second treatment, which can divert the need for surgery if we act quickly now before Jess reaches skeletal maturity. We only have a small window of time before it will be too late as Jess passes through adolescence.

We have found a clinic in San Francisco, USA who specialises in cases like Jessica’s. See www.janzenandjanzen.com and click on ScoliAcademy.

We need to visit the ScoliAcademy immediately for up to 3 weeks, then again in another 3 to 4 months time for a week. Apart from the clinic visits, Jessica will have to dedicate the next few years to disciplined therapy at home every day with specialised equipment and wear a brace. Jessica is determined to work hard to do whatever she can to straighten her spine without surgery.

Your help will enable us to meet the ScoliAcademy fees, the specialised testing, the equipment we will need at home for therapies, air travel, accommodation and related expenses for Jessica and her mum to travel to San Franciso.

The initial Urgent requirement for her treatment is $47,000 with follow-up costs of $19,000 - Total $66,000.

We would also like to bring publicity to this condition to help support the families affected by it as so little is known in the general public.

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

Please see www.facebook.com/jessicaswonkyback to track her journey.