Isaiahs Life-changing Spine Therapy

Hey guys, I need your help. My nephew Isaiah has been through a lot in his 13 years - over 70 broken bones and 12 surgeries – in his fight against Osteogenesis Imperfecta (“Brittle Bones Disease”). OI is a rare genetic mutation that affects his body’s collagen, resulting in fragile bones, but also affecting his joints and ligaments and even his organs. Despite being in pain every day, “Zay” is a fighter, and has a great attitude. Doctors said he’d never walk, but he did – and he even ran! His courage in the face of lots of adversity inspires me.

The Fight of His Life With Lots at Stake

Now, he’s in the biggest fight of his life. His condition has led to a form of scoliosis that is rapidly progressing. In the last 4 months his spinal curve has progressed from 30° to 60°+.  Much more and it can affect his breathing
and heart. He’s had to withdraw from school due to the pain. Typically this would call for a spine fusion surgery, which carries with it a high % of complications, many of which are negatively life-changing. In Isaiah’s case, if he has spine fusion surgery now, he will almost certainly have to have another one after he finishes growing. All of this means that he will lose mobility and his pain will increase, and during his life the scoliosis may continue to progress and necessitate even more surgeries still. Ultimately, if he goes down that road, Isaiah may become wheelchair bound instead of being the active kid he is. And he was also just diagnosed with dilation of the arterial root – a potentially life-threatening heart condition - so a 6 to 8 hour surgery is just not what he needs right now if he can avoid it. There is a lot at stake.

There’s Hope: A Non-surgical Treatment that Works!

But my brother Lon and his wife Amanda have found a treatment for their son, and I want to help Isaiah get it. They’ve discovered a leading-edge treatment called the Schroth method and a high-tech brace called a SpineCor that have achieved tremendous results at treating the underlying causes of scoliosis (rather than just surgically patching up its affects), and even reversing the curve, even in kids with OI. It’s cutting edge, but it’s also the
most studied and proven successful non-surgical method in the medical field and has been in use for decades in Europe, despite the fact that some in the orthopedic field seem oblivious to it in the US. And it works. The closest provider is Scoliosis Systems in Dallas, and Isaiah will travel there next week where Isaiah will undergo intensive training in how to self-align his own spine on a daily, even minute-by-minute basis, as well as perform certain exercises each day, all the while wearing a high-tech SpineCor brace 22 hrs a day that is engineered to rotate his spine back to its ccorrect position (or as closely as possible).

Win-Win Situation

Even if this treatment just slows down his scoliosis until he’s finished puberty, a spine fusion will be much more successful at that time. And this method and the brace (which can be worn comfortably and discreetly under his clothes) will help Isaiah throughout his lifetime maintain his spinal position and thus reduce the risk of re-surgery, increased back pain, and loss of mobility. That would be a huge win for Isaiah’s life, and I believe he’s the kind of person that is worth investing in.

Cures are Costly

But as with many medical advances, the financial costs are high, and my brother’s insurance will not cover it. Their years as missionaries didn’t make them rich, either. It is going to cost $4000 for the brace and $2,000 for the intensive 3-day training, plus doctor’s visits, x-rays and a litany of other tests that come to another $2500 (details below). There’s also the costs of travel and lodging and they have to purchase special exercise equipment for their home. This is all going to cost them around $9,000+ initially, and with quarterly follow-ups their out-of-pocket expenses will likely exceed $12,000, for the year. They’re willing to sell all they have to get Isaiah this critical brace and treatment.  


Urgent Appointment Next Week
Would you help them help their son? Due to the rapid progression of Isaiah’s scoliosis, they have booked the earliest appointment possible, March 31-April 2, which is just a week away, so yes, they could use it immediately.  If you miss this week, they could still use the help at any time, as their expenses will continue to add up over the year. Thanks for your awesome generosity.  Lon and Amanda and me will be forever grateful to you for standing with Isaiah in his battle against this awful disorder.  Stay posted, because I will post updates as Isaiah battles scoliosis with his awesome new tools and techniques  and continues to show us all what real courage looks like! Go Zay!



LINKS: 
· SpineCor Brace Study: 85% of users do not require surgery; 72% reverse the curve 

· After 5 years of using SpineCor Brace, 93% of users have a curvature that is stable or decreasing.  

· Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises Added to the Standard of Care Lead to Better Cobb Angle.  

· Scoliosis Systems


SCHEDULE OF FEES

Examinations and Bracing Costs
- Comprehensive Consultation /Evaluation $550
- X-rays (typically 3-6 films)  $125
- Formetric Scan $125
- SpineCor Brace $3,900
          Total $4,700

Schroth Exercise Intensive program:
- 2 Day, 10-Hour Intensive Training Weedend $2,000

Fees for quarterly follow-up visits
- Office Visit ($150) x 4 visits $600
- Formetric Scan ($125) x 4 visits $500
- X-ray s($125) x 4 visits $500
- Schroth Physical Therapy ($250) x 4 visits $1000
         Total $2600

Other fees 
- Additional Brace Option (top set-up) $715
- Custom Orthotic $400
- 3-Year Outgrowth Policy (Orthotics)$60
- Neurological Evaluation w/Vestibular testing $500
- Blood Work Review with Dr. Geanopulos $300
        Total $2,000

Schroth Exercise/Rehab at-home equipment 
        Total $500
 
TOTAL
$11,800