THE prayers of eight people, youngsters 10-18, who suffer from scoliosis, have been answered.

Glendon Whyte, Shantika Genas, Shanice Campbell, Zidane Salmon, Natalia Bernard, Anika Kelly, Davian Dennis, and Shana Kay Woolerly will benefit from the Scotia Foundation’s Scoliosis and Spine Care Programme that will provide corrective surgery with the use of metal rods attached to the spine by screws, hooks and in some cases wires to hold the spine in place.

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve into an ‘s’ shape extremely to the right or left. It is said to cause pain and can result in respiratory complications. If left untreated, it can lead to paralysis as well as emotional and psychological challenges. The cost of surgery amounts to almost US$600 per person and can last for six to 12 hours.

One of the recipients, Woolerly, was diagnosed with a 50 per cent right thoracic curvature of the spine — a severe case of scoliosis. Her back was twisted and she had a dragged walking caused by one leg being longer than the other. Today, she is relieved to know that corrective surgery — which involves the fusing of the vertebra in her spine — will be made possible with the help of the foundation’s programme.

Speaking at a ceremony on Thursday to announce the 2014 beneficiaries, Beulah Stevens, chief executive officer of Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) where the surgeries will take place, encouraged the beneficiaries to be of good cheer.

“KPH is the place to be. When something is wrong we fix it, we keep you alive and we keep you well. So, don’t be afraid, all is going to be well,” Stevens said.

Dr Ian Neil, head of orthopaedics at KPH and the man who will spearhead the operations, assured the beneficiaries that he will rectify their condition.

“I need my scoliosis children to get the care and attention we certainly give you at KPH; I want you to get better. It’s going to be a very interesting road for you because it starts with pain and it ends with joy,” Neil said.

He added that the technology now available to do the surgeries allow patients to resume their normal lives in a short

time span.

“My patients don’t want ordinary surgery. One patient [Kordel Clarke] was treated with a primitive implant and although she was happy with the outcome, she will tell you it can be better with the expensive implants we now use.

“Patients don’t need a brace and repeat surgery is very unusual and uncommon. The kind of correction that is achieved by the implants we use, cause them to be able to go back to school and work in a very short time,” Neil said.

Athol Hamilton, managing director of Medical Technologies, that will provide the implants, vowed to continue to render his services to the foundation and KPH.

“It really reinforces in me that we have to do more and push international partners to assist in the programme to get more children on the waiting list cared for. I ensure that the products and instruments are of highest quality and I will offer nerve monitoring to one patient, whom I will leave Dr Neil to select,” Hamilton said.

Kordel Clarke, a Scotia Foundation scholar, has a degree in actuarial Science. She did two surgeries to correct her spine and on Thursday she encouraged the beneficiaries to cheer up as better days are ahead.

“Years ago, in 2006, I was in the same position as many of you who I’m seeing here. I used to have that curvature and I used to be just like you and I used to go through the same teasing… being called ‘leanie’ and imitated and laughed at, but I just want to reassure you that you will get over it and you will be a better person for it,” Clarke said.

She added that, like them, she was worried but after the surgery she bounced back and managed to become successful in life.

One parent who opted to not be named said she was elated as she was at her wits end.

“I am happy my child was selected and it is a favour from God, it was reassuring to know that she was selected. At one point she didn’t want to go to school anymore because of teasing and she thought I wasn’t doing much to rectify the situation. For me it is a very emotional moment, now I know she will be more confident,” she said.

Rudolph Kelly, another parent, said the assistance was a blessing and it will be his testimony at church as he is over that burden. He said he can’t wait to see a brand new Anika.

Anika’s mother, Yvette Hamil, remarked, “Words can’t express how happy I am. I was worried about how she would go back in school. Since March this is the best of her, she is more happier now.”

Senior Medical Officer at KPH Natalie Whylie had the last word, which she used to reassure the beneficiaries.

“You have an amazing surgeon, a man who is compassionate. You are in excellent hands, so I know that at the end of this journey the smiles will be there and you will not have some of the challenges you used to have,” she said.

The Scotia Foundation has been covering the cost of scoliosis surgeries in Jamaica since September 2006.