Hi my name is Ruth Fountain and my niece Emilia Viola, aged 13, is due to have major back surgery to correct her Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) on 15th August 2018 in Germany. Emilia was born with this condition however it was discovered two years by chance on an x-ray. She has been in a back brace for a good year but despite her perseverance unfortunately her curve has continued to grow. In this country traditionally the NHS treatment is fusion surgery once the spine has stopped growing at 15, however Emilia's parents, Claire and Amo, have researched alternative options for her and have visited a surgeon in Germany who offers a procedure called Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT).
My family and I will be on holiday in Portugal at this time and whilst we are there I have decided to do a Sky Dive for Emilia to raise funds for her after care such as physio and travel to consultant appointments in Central London.
This hasn't been an easy decision to make as I am terrified of heights and haven't been on a plane for 7 years! But if Emilia can cope with surgery I can overcome my fear and jump!!!