Schoolgirl, 10, desperately needs life-changing operation within weeks or she’ll be 4ft 7in for the rest of her life
Macy Robertson, 10, has scoliosis - an abnormal curvature of the spine - but her condition has rapidly deteriorated
A SCHOOLGIRL desperately needs a life-changing operation within weeks or she could remain at 4ft 7in tall for the rest of her life.
Macy Robertson, 10, who was diagnosed with scoliosis - an abnormal curvature of the spine - four years ago, faces a "race against time" after her condition rapidly deteriorated.
Doctors say the youngster, who has three curves in her back - each measuring from 40 to 48 degrees - will need crucial £150,000 surgery within weeks if she is to stand a chance of growing any taller.
Her mother Nicky Robertson, from Dunbar, East Lothian, told the Sun Online: "I just don't want her to have that life.
"It really is a race against time now for Macy."
Macy, who had to give up her passion for gymnastics after her diagnosis, was forced to wear a brace for 20 hours a day to prevent her condition from getting worse.
But as well as being uncomfortable and restrictive, the support left her feeling different to others and was impacting on her emotional well-being so medics advised against further use.
Within months her scoliosis had worsened and Macy was in constant pain and doctors said her only option was surgery.
The family explored possible treatments and came across a pioneering team of surgeons in the States who say their procedure will allow her to continue growing and maintain flexibility.
But they need to raise the six-figure sum to be able to cover the cost of the operation and other additional expenses.
Nicky, 41, and her husband Mark, 50, a commissioning engineer, set up an online fundraising page and were overwhelmed by the number of donations they received.
In just a fortnight they've already raised more than £42,000 and Nicky, who also has a five-year-old son named Louie, says she's been inundated with people wanting to help.
"I can barely walk down the street without someone stopping me asking what they can do and complete strangers have organised charity events," she said.
"It's just been absolutely incredible - we can't believe it."
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Nicky, a senior strategy officer at East Lothian Council, flew out to America with Macy earlier this week for a consultation as she prepares to go in for the surgery as soon as the end of next month.
"We're aiming for the end of January - her consultant wanted her to have the operation before Christmas but we need more time to be be able to get the money," she said.
Macy was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was six after her parents took her to the doctors for a virus and happened to mention she had also been complaining of a bad back.
Since then she has been forced to wear a brace for all but four hours a day and despite coping well at first, on medics advice she stopped wearing it in August this year.
Nicky said: "Her condition has since deteriorated rapidly and doctors say she needs surgery now, before she has another growth spurt."
The NHS said it would perform spinal fusion surgery, which involves inserting metal rods in her spine and fusing the vertebrae so the spine becomes one solid structure.
"It means she won't grow anymore in height though her limbs will continue to grow - so her movement will be severely limited.
"She won't be able to bend down and touch her toes or tie her own shoes.
"She'll be 4ft 7in for the rest of the life and I really don't want that for her."
The couple began researching alternatives and came across the anterior scoliosis treatment offered by the clinic in the States.
Nicky added: "Unlike fusion, it allows for continued growth and mobility of the whole spine.
"It is the only procedure which will straighten Macy’s spine while allowing her to grow and remain flexible.
"Surgeons place screws in the affected vertebrae and attach the screws to a flexible cord to pull the spine in a straighter position.
"This realigns the spine so it can continue to straighten with growth and maintain flexibility.
"The surgery is less invasive than fusion, involving a five-inch scar as opposed to a full spine incision down the middle of the back.
"While this is desirable cosmetically, it also means less blood loss, less risk of infection and faster recovery time, as there is less muscle, bone and tissue damage."
She said that Macy's condition is getting worse everyday and she is in constant pain, which has seen the youngster in hospital on morphine.
WHAT IS SCOLIOSIS?
Scoliosis is the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine and is usually first noticed by a change in appearance of the back.
It can affect adults but is most common in children - especially girls - aged 10 to 15 and in the UK, around three or four in every 1,000 children need treatment for scoliosis.
In around eight out of every 10 cases, a cause for scoliosis is not found.
A small number of cases are caused by other medical conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Marfan syndrome.
Treatment can vary depending on age of diagnosis and its severity but the main means is usually bracing, which is worn until they stop growing to prevent the spine from curving further.
If the curve continues to progresss an operation may be necessary and usually involves inserting metal rods into the back to stabilise the spine, which are lengthened at regular intervals as your child grows.
Source: NHS
"She's missed lots of school because of it, which isn't just having an impact on her education but also on her socially - she constantly has to miss stuff.
"She also loves gymnastics and after her diagnosis she was told she wouldn't be able to do it anymore.
"This operation would change her life and it's now our only hope.
"But time is running out so we're desperate to try and raise the money to get her this life-changing surgery."
To help Macy's plight you can donate on her or follow the events on her .
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