GLORIA Grant, who is still reeling from the death of her husband just under five years, is now worried about her 15-year-old grandson, Courtney Barcley, who was recently diagnosed with scoliosis and is in urgent need of surgery.

Scoliosis is the lateral, or sideways curvature and rotation of the backbones (vertebrae), giving the appearance that the person is leaning to one side.

Barcley, called ‘CJ’ by his relatives, was diagnosed with scoliosis two years ago and his condition has since deteriorate so much that he now requires surgery to prevent him from becoming paralysed.

“We need about $1.5 million to buy the implant and pay for the surgery plus the after care,” Grant said, with a sigh.

“The doctor says he has to do the surgery by June 13, but we need about $600 right now to by the implant,” said the worried grandmother.

Courtney said he first learnt about scoliosis when he was diagnosed, but said that he was not worried about the surgery even though he is aware of the risk. He said he realised that something was wrong while he bathed and even when he tried to flex his muscles.

“I noticed that one side was always bigger than one,” said Courtney. “I tried to lift weights to see if the other side would build up but it did not work,” he added.

In order to reduce his deformity which has already progressed since he was diagnosed, Courtney will have to undergo surgery which involve using metal rods and screws to help straighten and hold the spine in the corrected position. However, there is also the risk that he may have to do another surgery if the anticipated results are not obtained the first try.

Courtney, who walks with a slight limp, says he gets pain at times, especially when he sits. He has also been absent from Porus High School, where he is a fourth from student, for two weeks because the benches are low. He will have to repeat that grade once he recovers from surgery.

Courtney said he has told some of his friends about his conditions, but he said students who do not know about his illness poke fun at him, especially during physical education classes when he has to take off his school shirt to change into a T-shirt.

Courtney, who wants to become a computer engineer, said that although he is absent from school he makes sure that he reads his textbooks to keep up with his school work.

“I know that from reading text books I will not get what I would have gotten if I were at school, but at least I am keeping up, he said, as he struggled to sit up in the settee where he was seated.

But Courtney’s grandmother – a retired secretary who gets financial assitance from her family – was not as upbeat about the surgery as her ailing grandson. She is worried that she will not raise enough money to buy the implant and pay the medical fees.

“If them did have it me know that them would help me. Is a good pickeny and we can’t mek him sick because me don’t have the money,” said Grant, who is also suffering from ill-health. She is hypertentious and is a diabetic. She said her health has deteriorated due to stress brought on by her grandson’s plight.

She added that her family has experienced many spates of tragedy since 1993, which has taken a toll on her.

“My son died of bonecancer in 1993 and then my brother Garnet Silk (popular reggae artiste) died in a fire in 1994,” she said.

“.Then I lost my husband who used to teach at the German automotive school.”

Dr Emanuel Boreland, who is a family friend and has been assisting Grant to raise money for Courtney, told the Observer that the boy is a good candidate for surgery because of his age.

“When you are young the risk is not as great and it (Scoliosis) is in the first stage so it is easy to correct,” he said. “If it gets to the stage where the person begins to twist then is more complicated to twist,” added the medical doctor. He also warned that his organs could also shift out of place to adjust to the curvature.

Grant said any one who wished to may a financial contribution can do so at account number 32424740 at the National Commercial Bank or by calling her at 765-9979.

– davidsont@jamaicaobserver.com