Letter to the Editor: Help Support Oswego Student

Our oldest daughter, Leah, has scoliosis.

If you don't know what that is, it's a severe curvature of the spine usually beginning at birth, but it's not evident until later. There are various degrees of severity and Leah falls into the severe category, (lucky her).

Without intervention it can become debilitating into her young adult years even affecting her heart and lungs. My wife and I have attempted to control the disease with bracing and a specific form of back exercises but we found out a few weeks ago the curve got much worse.

After a year of treatment, we were told the only option for her now is surgery with her 61 degree curve. The procedure involves placing two rods along her spine and tying the vertebra to it with screws. The cost is somewhere between $150,000 and $300,000. (We do have private insurance but with high deductibles).  

Her surgery date is June 20 at Rush in Chicago. So many people have asked about her, so we put together a blog to keep friends, family and contacts updated.

There is a video interview with her and some nice footage of this special kid as well as some info about scoliosis. She's a sweet kid and doesn't deserve this, but we're all hopeful she will have a fast recovery.

Also on the blog is info for a fundraiser portrait day on May 19th at the . The funds raised will help us pay for the $8,000 the insurance doesn't cover. You can reach the blog right here and see Leah's interview.

Todd Pierson, Oswego