WHILE he waits for his vital surgery, Yadah Rayle Prins (2), from Jeffreys Bay, who, while still in his mother’s womb, was diagnosed with neuromuscular scoliosis and has suffered from chronic back pain his whole life, is now able to find some pain relief from his chiropractor sessions.
According to Yadah’s mother, Judy Abercrombie, apart from being diagnosed with scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine, he was also diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition in which the spine does not form correctly.
Furthermore, he has a rib which did not form properly, due to the scoliosis.
Judy said if Yadah does not receive spinal fusion surgery, the spinal curve could worsen and reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.
In addition, if the spinal curvature continued to press against the heart, it could cause lung and heart damage.
“If the spinal curve gets worse, the spine will rotate or twist and could cause the ribs on the one side of his body to stick out further than the other side,” said Judy.
As previously reported by the Kouga Express, Yadah was meant to receive his vital spinal fusion surgery in March last year in Cape Town, to keep the scoliosis from worsening and to straighten his spine.
A few months before his surgery was scheduled, Judy, together with her family and friends, embarked on a fund-raising initiative to raise money for the surgery, since the medical aid only covered 60% of the total cost. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, which were imposed in March, they were unable to raise enough money for the surgery and instead had to make use of a chiropractor to help ease Yadah’s chronic back pain.
Since attending his biweekly sessions with Dr Ernsl Conradie, Yadah, who previously had to take daily pain medication, now only needs pain medication twice a week.
“Since Yadah started attending his chiropractor sessions, he has been getting fewer ‘pain attacks’ at night. Dr Conradie is very gentle and playful with him,” said Judy.
She further said that due to the financial implications she has experienced as a result of COVID-19, Conradie has been generous enough to offer all of Yadah’s chiropractor sessions free of charge.
Despite his various limitations, Judy said Yadah was a very active boy who loves toplay. “Yadah is a brave and happy little boy. Despite his condition, limitations, and constant pain, he is always smiling, laughing and ready to take on the day,” she said.
Judy is hopeful that once the COVID-19 restrictions have been eased, she will be able to continue creating awareness about scoliosis and continue embarking on various fund-raising initiatives to raise enough money for Yadah’s surgery.
