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Scoliosis Patient Stories

Read inspiring stories of hope from patients and families treated at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Have your own inspiring patient story to share? If you’d like to share your Nicklaus Children's story to inspire hope, and help other families find answers to questions they’re seeking for their child, please contact us at: info@nicklaushealth.org.

Ja'leah's Love for Basketball

Ja’leah Williams has always excelled in athletics. She began as a runner competing at the state and national level in track and field, and went on to win a gold medal in the Junior Olympics. Ja’leah learned she had idiopathic scoliosis with a 67 degree curvature during her junior year of high school. Read this story.

Adam's Story

Adam Perez learned early on that he had scoliosis after a routine screening at school. However, shortly after he turned 16, the scoliosis had progressed enough that he needed surgery to correct the curvature in his spine.  Read this story.

Isabel's Story

Isabel George was diagnosed with scoliosis during a routine physical at only 11 years of age. Although she had never complained of back pain and was a very active child, Isabel was diagnosed with a severe curvature of the spine of 60 degrees. Read this story.

Patient of the Month: Layla

When Layla was 5, she came to Nicklaus Children's Hospital with a severe case of scoliosis. To help straighten her spine, Layla spent time in halo gravity traction. While her mom returned home to Gainesville for work and school, the nurses at Nicklaus Children's took care of Layla, acting as substitute mothers and making sure she was well cared for. Read this story.

Haley's Success Story

Growing up, Haley Gantt suffered from scoliosis. She had to wear a back brace to prevent her curve from worsening, but unfortunately, she was later told that a spinal fusion surgery would have to be considered because the brace had failed to prevent the curve from progressing. She fought hard and got through it. An accomplished basketball player, Haley is now on her way to playing Division II basketball for Biola University in Southern California. Read this story.

Patient of the Month: Alessandra

At age 10, Alessandra was diagnosed with scoliosis and started receiving treatment at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Read this story.

Surgery Puts Sarah Back on Track

Sarah was born with Noonan syndrome, a genetic condition that can result in spinal curvature and other abnormalities. She underwent her first surgery for scoliosis at age 13 with the Center for Spinal Disorders at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Read this story.

Kimberly's Scoliosis Success Story

Kimberly was 14 years old when she started noticing an unevenness of her shoulders and rib cage, as well as the shortening of her torso. Her whole upper body was beginning to look disfigured, so her pediatrician referred her to the Orthopedics Department at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Read this story.

Young Boy Regains Ability to Walk

By the time he was 13, Gerard was unable to walk. He was also experiencing seizures which prevented him from attending school. Gerard required surgery in order to decompress his spinal cord and repair the bone. The doctors at Nicklaus Children's Hospital were hopeful that surgery would be successful and Gerard could regain the sensation in his legs. Read this story.

Tiffany's Success Story

Misdiagnosed several times after freak accident, until Dr. Asghar diagnosed her with a rare spinal disorder: Klippel-Feil syndrome. Read this story.

Tania's Scoliosis Success Story

Tania was eight years of age when was diagnosed with scoliosis. As she grew older, it got worse and so she had surgery with one of the best doctors in Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Read this story.

Jennifer's Spinal Surgery Success Story

Jennifer just got hired here at Nicklaus Children's Hospital! Not only does she feel so proud and lucky, but she also feels very honored to be a part of a hospital where she had a serious back surgery done several years ago. Read this story.