Because I was born with scoliosis, I have breathing problems. My parents don't know why I was born with so many health problems. It was just a fluke of nature and not inherited. I would rather have all the problems than have my sisters have any one of my problems. At least they are healthy and I'm very greatful for that.

When I was 3 1/2 yrs old, I underwent my first spinal fusion surgery. I was in halo traction. I was supposed to be in it for 9 months but it was removed after 6 months. But while I was still in the hospital just after surgery, someone (I can't remember who) called a radio station and told them about me and my mother. My mother started receiving well-wishing cards and letters from around the country. Some of them had short notes and some had a dollar bill in them. It was amazing how much support can come from strangers you don't even know.

Here's a picture of me in my halo traction.  I was not allowed a pillow for my head when I slept. I had to be careful not to bump my head against anything which happened often. I had four screws drilled into my skull to hold my head immobile for 6 long months. Any jarring of those screws would loosen them and I'd have to go back to the doctors to have it moved. I still have scars on my head from the holes. And even though I was only 3 1/2 yrs old, I still have those memories. But I almost always had a smile on my face. The cast went from my shoulders to my hips with a big circle on my stomach to help with breathing.

Christine, once again, it amazes me the similarities of some of the things you go through (or have gone through), and some of the things that my son has gone through. When he was 3 yrs 10 mo. old, he had an operation that implanted an R.E.D. (Rigid External Distraction) device. Basically, it was a type of halo, only on the sides of his face. The docs surgically cut the bones of his mid-face & nose, and then put the screws into his midface. We had to turn the screws each day, to advance his midface. He ended up with a total of 4 sets in 2 years. He still has the scars on his face from the screws, too. The new R.E.D. systems are attached in a different place than the original ones (like my son had) - apparently they learned from their mistakes. He had lots of problems with hitting things accidently, and even broke one set. They were very painful, but he smiled through all but the turning of the screws...

BTW, if you'd like to see more about him, his page is: http://www.apert.org/hooper . :) Melissa

U know what? I have always struggled breathing, and part of my panicky-thing is about not being able to breathe properly. I've been to GP about this but they say nothing is wrong. As I have scoliosis too I have read on the net before that it can cause breathing problems. I'm wondering if that is why I struggle, even though my scoliosis is not severe at all, you can't really tell I have it...(but of course I can tell!)