Schoolgirl, 10, desperately needs life-changing operation within weeks or she’ll be 4ft 7in for the rest of her life

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."

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.