LIFE has been difficult for 16-year-old St Catherine resident Linton Blake.
Other than the pain and discomfort that he is forced to live with, Blake, who suffers from scoliosis, is unable to participate in activities similar to other children in his age group.Last Friday, the life of the teenager took a dramatic turn, thanks to an announcement by Scotiabank Foundation which offered to sponsor the $500,000 it will require to complete his surgery.Blake is one of eight children who will benefit from Scotiabank’s Scoliosis Care Programme.The children between the ages of 14 and 16 years old were selected by the Kingston Public Hospital based on the severity of the condition, length of time on the waiting list, age, and financial need.“Young people affected by scoliosis experience severe pain, disruption in their education, and a range of social challenges,” said Joylene Griffiths-Irving, executive director of the Scotia Foundation.She said that since 2006, Scotia has assisted some 40 persons by funding their corrective surgeries at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH).Medical Technologies Limited is also an important partner and has provided the screws at a discount and this year will donate sets of screw to cover two surgeries.The condition of Scoliosis, is hereditary and it is estimated that some 90,000 Jamaicans, including Olympian Usain Bolt, are affected by the condition at varying degrees of severity.With the surgery, students are expected to return to school in September, walking upright, and with a brighter outlook on life.“I am very happy about the opportunity that Scotiabank and medical officials have given to me, as I believe this will only help to improve my outlook on life,” said Andre Campbell.He is one of the recipients who will this year be benefiting from the programme.The others are Andre Campbell, 17, Roshay Graham, 14, Yanique Holness,16, Rose-Marie Shearer, 17, Tajera Silvera, 16, Linton Blake, 16, and Chennel Smikle, 15.Dr Ian Neil, head of orthopedics at the KPH who has partnered with Scoliosis Care since its inception, said that the list of persons in need of surgery grows each year.As a result he has invited persons and organisations to support the ScotiaFoundation or to contact KPH directly to help with covering the cost of surgeries for these young people.The waiting list for children in need of surgery to correct scoliosis at the KPH is between 50 and 70. The number grows every year because of the cost of the surgeries .BLAKE… to benefit from Scotiabank Foundation donationView the original article here
Scoliosis makes life miserable for youngster
