Timely care for children with scoliosis

• Date: 19 December 2020
• Published date: 19 December 2020

I underwent a spinal fusion for scoliosis in May 2018 aged 15. I understand the impact it has on someone to have to play the "waiting game" before surgery. As I am on the other side of surgery it's important to me to be able to highlight this issue in order to make a difference, even if it's small.

It was a scary time for me, and my heart aches for anyone who lives with the effects of scoliosis. Waiting was one of the hardest experiences. I remember every day I would come home from school in a hurry to check the letter box, to see if my surgery date had come through. I experienced so much anxiety because I didn't know what to expect. The longer I waited the more apprehensive I felt about the procedure. My curve got bigger and the prominence on my back was increasing a lot.

Parents should not have to fight for their children to be seen and treated. Instead of them spending energy advocating for their children they should be focusing on their children's needs. It's enough watching their child's physical and mental health...