Natalie was only 19 months old when she was diagnosed with early onset scoliosis, a very rare and severe curvature of the spine that emerges in early childhood.
Her care journey involved years of monitoring and management under the supervision of Dr. Stephen G. George, Director of Pediatric Spinal Surgery with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital's Orthopedic, Sports Medicine, and Spine Institute. As a very young child, Natalie was treated with the use of casting and bracing to help shape her spine as her little body grew strong enough for surgery.
At age 7, she had her first surgery, which consisted of implantation of magnetic growing rods to help straighten her spine as she grew. Her third and final surgery took place in September 2024 in the newly opened Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower at Nicklaus Children's.
During the procedure her growing rods were removed and replaced with new screws and rods for her final scoliosis correction. At age 12, Natalie has finished her 10-year treatment odyssey and is ready to embrace all that lies ahead.