Help Crystal get back to being a kid

Hi, my name is Justin and I am setting up this Go Fund Me for my niece Crystal.

Crystal is a 10-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with a rare and quickly progressing type of scoliosis. Since her diagnosis in September 2022 it has progressed rapidly. Crystal’s X-rays 6 months ago showed a curvature of 40 degrees, but recent X-rays completed in April show this has increased by another 30 degrees. This is now just over a 70-degree curvature in a 6 month period which is a shocking acceleration. She is now in desperate need of surgery to correct this and provide her with a chance at a good quality of life. This surgery is estimated to cost $80,000.

If we were to wait on the public system, it could take up to 2yrs before she would receive surgery and, with the current rate of progression, by this time it may not be reversible.

Emma, Crystal’s mum is a single parent and, like so many out there, private health insurance and funding this on her own is completely out of reach. Despite the help from friends and family it will be very hard to reach this goal.

Crystal loves school sports and has won several awards for her running but due to the scoliosis causing pain and discomfort she has had to stop participating in this activity. School itself, which Crystal loves, has become a daily struggle with her being unable to sit in a chair for extended periods of time and being in constant pain.

Crystal has also been diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory issues.

Crystal's ADHD presents significant challenges in her academic and social life. She has difficulty staying focused in class, which leads to poor academic performance and frustration with herself and her teachers. She also struggles to engage in social activities because she finds it hard to regulate her impulses and pay attention to social cues. However, she does work very hard to overcome these barriers and enjoys school and her friends.

Crystal also experiences sensory issues, which refer to difficulties processing sensory information. She experiences hypersensitivity to certain sounds, textures, and other stimuli, which can cause discomfort and anxiety. Making constant trips to the hospital with MRI’s and X-rays has made this difficult at times.

The quicker we can access the surgery the more she will be able to get back to her schooling, sport and spending time with her friends.

The goal of this GoFundMe campaign is to raise funds to cover the cost of her surgery so she can have this done as soon as possible. Any additional funds raised beyond the target amount will be donated to the Royal Children's Hospital to help other children in need of medical care.

Any help anyone can provide for Crystal and Emma would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Regards

Justin Sheargold