A BRAVE teenager has told how astonishing surgery to straighten her
spine has given her the extra inches needed to follow her dream and
become a model.
Schoolgirl
Erin Ross developed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at 13, which
causes the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine.
Following
an eight-hour operation in which she had two titanium rods and 22
screws inserted into her back, she grew a vital extra inch and a half.
And,
on Friday, Erin, who only just completed her first test shoot, landed a
12-month contract with leading Scottish model agency Colours.
The
17-year-old’s condition was so severe that her lungs only worked at 60
per cent capacity and she was unable to lie flat on her back.
Erin
was so self-conscious of how the condition left her body bent over to
one side that even on holiday she remained covered up.
She
said: “It was really tough at times. I always wanted to model but
thought I’d never get the chance. I am thrilled Colours have taken me
on.
“I probably wasn’t tall enough to be a model before the
operation but now I’m 5ft 8½in. Before, I was only 5ft 6in because my
spine was so twisted – 78 degrees twisted on top and 52 degrees twisted
on the bottom.
Erin Ross is now a model
“When that was stretched by the surgery, I actually grew an
inch and a half. The first time I stood up, it was completely
different.”
Without surgery, Erin’s breathing difficulties would
have worsened and the shape her ribs were forming would have left her
very disfigured and bent to the left as she grew older.
She
added: “When I had tests done before surgery, they found that one of my
lungs was being crushed. Before, my ribs came out at the back of my body
so when I was lying in bed it felt like I had half a football stuck to
me.
“I was bent over to one side and my shoulders were uneven.
“After
the operation, the first thing I said was, ‘I’m lying flat on my
back.’ It was the first time I’d been able to do that and I just
remember that amazing feeling.
“I was terrified before as it’s a big thing at 15 but when I woke up I knew it had changed my life for the better.”
In the UK, around three or four in every 1000 children need treatment for scoliosis, which is more common in females than males.
Treatment depends on age, how severe the condition is and whether it’s thought it will worsen with time. Erin said: “I started noticing a slight lump in my back when
I was 13 and I didn’t want to speak or think about it. I left it and
pretended it wasn’t happening.
“But then I started watching girls on YouTube posting about their journey. One day I said to my mum I was ready for the surgery and wanted it fixed.”
Two
years later, Erin underwent surgery at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for
Sick Children and says it is the best thing she has done.
She added: “Before, I was always self-conscious and covered up. Nobody knew about it and I would never have worn a bikini.
“Now,
I show my scar off and everyone knows about it. I post things on
social media and girls have contacted me who are in the same position.
“I’ve
spoken to so many people about the operation and I answer any questions
they have that they might be afraid sound silly. They know I’ll
understand.
“Before I had the operation, I spoke to a girl who
had already been through the surgery who helped me. So now I want to be
that girl for others. I’ve met four girls and spoken to a lot more.
“When
I had appointments with my consultant, I told him about it and he was
very proud because some of the girls were his patients too.”
Enrique
Garrido, the consultant spine surgeon who performed Erin’s operation,
said: “We are delighted to see Erin progressing so well and we are happy
that she is able to begin fulfilling her dreams and ambitions.
“When
patients are anxious about operations, we often put them in touch with
other patients who can give them first-hand accounts and tell them
about their own experiences.
“Erin has proven to be a natural at helping other patients to prepare for surgery and she is a real inspiration.”
Alison Bruce, co-owner of Glasgow model agency Colours, said: “We’ve met with Erin and her mum and we’d like to offer her representation.
“She’s a really sweet girl who shows lots of potential and we’ll monitor how she develops over the next 12 months.”
I came to know from this blog that Dr. Ashok johri has used magnetic rod for scoliosis surgery. Can anybody provide me the cost of this magec rods ? My son is having congenital scoliosis and doctor has suggested surgery of growing rods. Please help to provide cost of magec rods.
I came to know from this blog that Dr. Ashok johri has used magnetic rod for scoliosis surgery.
ReplyDeleteCan anybody provide me the cost of this magec rods ?
My son is having congenital scoliosis and doctor has suggested surgery of growing rods.
Please help to provide cost of magec rods.