Special Teddies Can Cheer Scoliosis Patients At NJ Hospital: Here's How

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A scoliosis patient and mother of two is raising money to bring comfort to pediatric patients as they undergo a major surgery.

Bridgette Tinsman, a Morristown-area native who now lives in Wantage, started a GoFundMe to purchase some uniquely-designed teddy bears for young patients who will get surgery at the Scoliosis & Spinal Deformity Center at Morristown Medical Center.

They're called Higgy Bears, and serve as a companion for spinal surgery patients to make recovery more "bear-able," and help them not feel so alone.

Tinsman was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 12, and underwent two surgeries last year at the hospital to correct her spine. She said that even at 42 years old, she was scared of undergoing such a major procedure - and the recovery process has been painful.

“This experience has been rough,” she said to Patch. “There’s no sugarcoating it. I don’t regret it because my quality of life was very bad, but it’s not an easy recovery.”

Tinsman is a patient of Dr. Jason Lowenstein at the Advanced Spine Center in Morristown, who also works with pediatric patients.

As she was preparing for the surgery and recovery, Tinsman joined several online communities came across a nonprofit called Higgy Bears, which was founded by a scoliosis patient named Lauren Higginson.

These stuffed animals are specially-designed for scoliosis patients, and can come outfitted with a back brace or have surgical stitches along their fluffy spine – just like the human that they are meant to be a companion for.

Tinsman, a mother of two, said that both her children are being monitored for scoliosis. This reality, and her own experience, got her thinking about how frightening spinal surgery must be for young patients.

“I would go through this again before seeing them go through it,” she said.

Tinsman said that when she was in the hospital for her surgery, she had a blanket from home that became her “best friend” and was a major comfort. She decided to start the fundraiser to purchase Higgy Bears for young spinal surgery patients, so they can have a friend by their side throughout the process.

"I'm almost 10 months out from two surgeries, and I still can't do a lot," she said. "It's a long, long time to recover."

"Some of these kids are going back to school five weeks later," she added. "I don't know how they can possibly do it."

Tinsman hopes to buy 20 to 30 of the Higgy Bears that have surgical scars, for pediatric patients that will undergo spinal fusion at Morristown Medical Center. Then, she will co-ordinate with her own surgeon to find a good day to bring them to the hospital.

The bears are always free for pediatric scoliosis patients, and donations will help cover the cost of making them.

You can donate to the GoFundMe and help her cause here.