In September 2011, my little sister Natalie underwent an invasive seven hour spinal fusion surgery.
Yesterday, she became Youth National Champion in Modern Pentathlon and qualified for the World Championships in Wuhan, China. As a pentathlete, Natalie must fence, swim, run, and shoot a laser pistol. Athletes 19 and older also compete in equestrian show jumping.
Over the last two years, Natalie has spent hundreds of hours training in the four difficult disciplines of fencing, swimming, running and shooting. Natalie has not just recovered from her spinal fusion surgery, she has overcome her scoliosis and excelled in her athletic pursuits - what some said would be impossible.
I want to send her on the trip of a lifetime. With your help, we can!
So what’s your sister's story?
At age twelve, Natalie was diagnosed with very serious idiopathic scoliosis; she had a double major curve. For three years, she wore a back brace twenty-two hours a day, removing it only for athletic training. A back brace can sometimes prevent further curving by applying continuous pressure on the curve to hold it in place and not move further. Unfortunately, despite her diligence in wearing her brace, her curves increased and spinal fusion surgery was required to prevent further curving, severe deformity and pain later in life. Natalie’s seven-hour surgery involved implanting two steel rods and 17 hooks/screws made of surgical steel to place her spine in better alignment. With a superb surgical staff, supportive family, and close-knit group of friends, Natalie has done more than just survive an otherwise debilitating condition.
Ten months after her surgery, Natalie was the 2012 National Youth Champion in Modern Pentathlon and this year she is the 2013 National Youth Champion again! She accomplished this in spite of her struggle with idiopathic scoliosis.
Um... idiopathic scoliosis?
Idiopathic scoliosis is lateral curving of the spine that occurs for unknown reasons – usually between the ages of ten and thirteen – when the skeletal frame is developing most rapidly. Severe scoliosis can impact the quality of life, putting pressure on the heart, diminishing lung capacity, and limiting physical activity. In Natalie's case, she had two very serious curves that not only curved but one was also rotating.
In a double major curve the upper part of the curve occurs in the thoracic or chest area, while the lower part affects the lumbar area. The thoracic curve shifts the ribs and creates a deformity that is known as a rib hump on the back, while the lumber curve twists the hips so they appear uneven and can cause a great deal of pain.
Tell me more about how my donation will help Natalie and potentially others like her.
The first $5000 will pay for training, traveling and competition costs. All the money raised beyond the needed $5000 and the indiegogotakeaway/marketing costs will be donated to the National Scoliosis Foundation (NSF), a patient-led nonprofit organization dedicated since 1976 to helping children, parents, adults, and health-care providers to understand the complexities of spinal deformities such as scoliosis.
I believe that Natalie’s story of recovery offers hope to others and needs to be shared. Your donation will allow Natalie to represent our country and encourage those who suffer from scoliosis.
I don't have a donation, but is there any other way I can help?
Of course! Tell your friends and family about Natalie and her inspirational story. Share sendnatalietoworlds.com with your friends.
This campaign can only be successful through word of mouth.
I love you all! Thank you so much for helping me and making my little sister’s dreams come true!
