Ariel’s Scoliosis Battle

Ariel was born December 22, 2007 weighing 3 pounds 15 oz. She was premature by 2 1/2 months. Back in September of 2007 Ariel’s grandfather passed away and that put a lot of stress on her mother while she has Ariel inside of her belly. This caused Ariel to be paralyzed on her left side of her body. We didn’t find out about that until she was born 2 1/2 months before her due date. Ariel’s parents were told that she would not be able to crawl or walk. Ariel than had to go to Physiotherapy at the Niagara Children Center To gain mobility to her left side. She gained mobility after a couple years later. She proved the doctors wrong as she was able to crawl and walk. At three years old Ariel wanted to play hockey even with everything she has gone through. Colin and Denise knew that it would be a struggle with her condition but Ariel didn’t get “the memo.” She wanted to keep playing hockey as she loved hockey so much. But Colin brought her to her first hockey school. She did cry the first time being on the ice but she still wanted to go back and play. Ariel’s left side still isn’t the greatest. When she started playing hockey she would skate with her right leg and her left leg would drag behind her. She also had a hard time gripping her left hand to her hockey stick. Ariel has been playing hockey for about 8 years now and her team has won the championship 3 years in a row. During her hockey career she has met Coach James Cadeau. She really adores him. Coach James also gave her the most valuable player award and also spoke about her story to the players and their families. He said “she never gave up, she may be the smallest player but she had the biggest heart!” Little did Ariel know that her hockey season from 2018-2019 would be her last. Colin, Denise and Ariel got told she is no longer allowed to play hockey anymore. Everyone was hurt by it. Coach James knew what has been going on and has asked Ariel if she would like to join the team on the bench to help out. Ariel was so happy to be offered that. She tries to go out to the games whether it is to be on the bench or be in the stands. As her back is hurting a lot more now as she has been doing physiotherapy. Ariel has now met with doctors at McMaster and they told her and her parents that her condition is worse than they thought. Since Ariel has had a growth spurt her back has gotten worse. Ariel is now having to see doctors at Toronto Sick Kids. The doctor that she seen is booked solid for the next 2 years. But he said she can’t wait that long. So he is trying to fit her in within the next 3 months. She is also now on a cancellation list and could be in within 24 hours of that time. Ariel needs to have this surgery ASAP. She is having 3 surgeons working on her. Ariel is going to be having 2-4 surgeries that we know of right now. Once we get a call she will be going in ASAP to have the first surgery which would be to attach the halo to her skull with pins. She will need to be on a traction bed for about 4-6 weeks or longer. They have to keep adding weights to the halo to help her strengthen herself for her second surgery that will be on her spine. This surgery might include them also removing some of her ribs as they are pressing on her left lung. Once the surgeries are finished she will be staying in the hospital for 4-6 months afterwards. Ariel is 47” tall, 43 pounds and will be 12 years old on December 22nd. Ariel’s parents Colin and Denise will be traveling from St. Catharines to Toronto. Denise will be staying up there with her because someone needs to be up there with her at all times. Colin will be traveling back and forth as only one parent is allowed to stay up there at a time. Denise has been informed that she might only be able to sit at my sister’s bedside and my not have a bed or a cot to sleep on. My mom is going to have to pay for her own food and parking while being up there. Sometimes Denise will be having to come home as she also has 7 other children but one of us will be up there with her at all times, as she can’t be alone. As everyone knows parking and fuel is very expensive. Ariel’s first surgery will be Friday February 7th. We know there is a long road ahead of us. Please pray for little Ariel. Every little bit will help. 

Thank You in Advance

From Ariel and her family