Straight ahead ireland in aid of scoliosis
Donation protected
I want to help raise awareness for children waiting on surgery for scoliosis. Straight Ahead Ireland which is under the umbrella of The Children's Medical and Research Foundation (CMRF) and all donations help children with major orthopedic problems such as severe scoliosis on the long HSE waiting lists and provide them with life changing surgery. These children's conditions are deteriorating while they await to get spinal fusion surgery , this is why I fully support straight ahead ireland with what they do cause it is so important and amazing.
7 years ago i was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis at the age of 11, this develops mostly in teens for no known reason. I underwent a 7hour spinal fusion surgery 4 years ago as I had 2 curves and they had developed enough for surgery. I have always been a dancer since the age of 3 so scoliosis affected my life but I wasn’t going to let it ever stop me.
I am thrilled to say Just recently I have been crowned Miss Dublin 2022 and Leinster people choice 2022. I am an all-Ireland champion in both Ballroom and Latin dancing with Xquisite Dance. I have also represented Ireland both nationally and internationally at World championships in Ballroom and Latin many times, only the top two couples in the country are invited to represent their country.
After surgery I finally worked my way back and got to represent Ireland at world championships yet again only last November 2021 in Armenia as no. 1couple in the country. I could not have achieved this without the support of my family and of course my dance family.
I was very lucky had i not of got my diagnoses early and lucky to have had surgery quick I don't know what way life would be like for me now if I hadn’t . The goal is early diagnosis and treatment. if this is achieved every child can like me be lucky enough to have some normality in life and still follow their dreams. I want to help all scoliosis patients to get a fair chance to follow their dreams and to preach that their diagnosis doesn’t stop them.
Thank you to everyone who is donating as it means a lot to both me and all scoliosis patients out there , lots of love Katie
7 years ago i was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis at the age of 11, this develops mostly in teens for no known reason. I underwent a 7hour spinal fusion surgery 4 years ago as I had 2 curves and they had developed enough for surgery. I have always been a dancer since the age of 3 so scoliosis affected my life but I wasn’t going to let it ever stop me.
I am thrilled to say Just recently I have been crowned Miss Dublin 2022 and Leinster people choice 2022. I am an all-Ireland champion in both Ballroom and Latin dancing with Xquisite Dance. I have also represented Ireland both nationally and internationally at World championships in Ballroom and Latin many times, only the top two couples in the country are invited to represent their country.
After surgery I finally worked my way back and got to represent Ireland at world championships yet again only last November 2021 in Armenia as no. 1couple in the country. I could not have achieved this without the support of my family and of course my dance family.
I was very lucky had i not of got my diagnoses early and lucky to have had surgery quick I don't know what way life would be like for me now if I hadn’t . The goal is early diagnosis and treatment. if this is achieved every child can like me be lucky enough to have some normality in life and still follow their dreams. I want to help all scoliosis patients to get a fair chance to follow their dreams and to preach that their diagnosis doesn’t stop them.
Thank you to everyone who is donating as it means a lot to both me and all scoliosis patients out there , lots of love Katie
Organizer
Katie Oconnor
Organizer