Nine to get scoliosis surgeries from ScotiaFoundation

Gina Evans was wondering how she would find money for her son's scoliosis surgery, so she was very happy when he was selected as a beneficiary for spine surgery through the ScotiaFoundation partnership with the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and Medical Technologies Limited.

According to Evans, she had always thoroughly checked her children to ensure there was no curvature of the spine, so when she noticed an abnormality on the back of her youngest son, Jamie, she quickly rushed him to the doctor for a diagnosis.

Having herself suffered with scoliosis, including undergoing three surgeries to correct her ailment, she was determined to protect her son from the emotional and physical challenges that are associated with the condition.

Eighteen-year-old Jamie Evans, from Manchester is one of nine beneficiaries, ages 14 to 18 years, to have their conditions corrected with scoliosis surgeries this summer. The others are Antonio Millington, Tami-Ann Gordon and Shahine Dreckett from Kingston, Shanice Campbell - St Catherine, Simone Anderson - Portland, Ricardo Pinnock and Abigail Williams - Clarendon, and Shaneil Currie from Westmoreland.

Surgeries should be completed by early this month at the KPH by a team of medical experts, led by Dr Ian Neil.

LOOKED AFTER QUICKLY

Evans is insistent that children with the condition should be looked after quickly. She remembers the insecurities and the low self-esteem she suffered and the insensitivity of being called names by her peers.

"They were cruel," she said. I do not want to subject my children to that kind of abuse. I remember the pain and discomfort caused by the condition," Evans said.

"Jamie, too, has been suffering with pain every day, shoulders and back hurting and spending a lot of time in the sick bay. He is hoping that come September, he will be physically able to pursue his dream to study agriculture at the College of Agricultural Science and Education," Evans added.

These nine beneficiaries bring to 74 the number of teens who have had corrective surgeries under the Scoliosis and Spine Care Programme, which started in 2008.