A New Beginning

Ethan is 16 years old and has Scoliosis which is a severe form of curvature of the spine. This causes daily chronic pain in his hips, back and legs. He struggles to walk any distance due to pain shooting into his legs feet and back and hips. He is unable to stand for any period of time and is unable to sleep due to his symptoms, he has to take strong pain relief to help. He suffers numbness in his legs and foot which causes him to fall.

He also has finger symptoms due to his chronic pain, which has affected him greatly. He has been unable to hold a pen or play the piano, a hobby which he has really enjoyed. Ethan has been unable to complete his education due to his health. Ethan wants to complete his GCSE exams and move onto college something which is right now a dream.

He is looking forward to starting Drama college in the future. When he has had surgery and is well enough. Throughout all of Ethan’s health challenges he has never lost his amazing smile or sense of humour in any situation and is always full of positive energy despite being poorly.

Ethan’s goal is to complete school, start college, climb Mount Fuji in Japan and to go snow mobiling in sweden. We want to make him well enough for this to become a reality.

He has completely lost his social life which is an important part of teenage development during his adolescent years. He has had to stop playing football a sport which he lived for and which was a large part of Ethan’s social life. Ethan dreams of being like any other child of his age and just wants to lead a life where he can go out with his friends, have a girlfriend, play football in the park and most of all learn to drive. All these simple things other kids take for granted have been an impossible feat for Ethan and with this surgery we are able to make his dreams a reality.

Spinal Fusion NHS

He has been on long term waiting list for Spinal fusion and has now been moved to an adult list due to turning 16. With the spinal fusion operation Ethan will need ribs removed, 3 disks removed and fusion of lower disks. This would limit Ethan’s mobility and Flexibility and eventually cause Degenerative Disk Disease. It will also not manage Ethan’s pain. Whilst the Surgeons are highly skilled and the surgery is successful there are too many risks.

We have been told by Ethan’s consultant his pain will continue even after Fusion surgery. For Ethan to live his life with chronic pain is no life at all, due to the many risks assosiated with Spinal Fusion loss of motor function being one of the many, Ethan is terrified to take the risk from this type of surgery as this all ready affects him. This is why we need to take ethan to Germany for VBT surgery where he WILL be able to again be pain free and live his life without limitations after the procedure and this is why we need YOU!

VBT Surgery in Germany

Ethan’s best option is surgery in Germany, a pioneering technique called VBT, Ethan has been accepted as a patient and is a candidate for surgery. We urgently need to raise funds before mid November. This surgery is not yet funded by the NHS and will be trialled in the UK in the future but unfortunately it will be too late for Ethan as he needs surgery now.

VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering) is a pioneering technique which is not funded by the NHS. It will give Ethan full mobility and flexibility. Ethan will not have pain symptoms after surgery, this technique also has a fast recovery time. He will also not have to lose any ribs which is a painful procedure in itself. He will be able to lead a completely mobile, flexible and pain free life. With no limits. This surgery for Ethan is not a cosmetic procedure is a necessity due to his pain, symptoms and spinal curvature.

Ethan wants the chance to live an active, pain free life, without limitations. VBT surgery in Germany is the best option available, it will give him a new beginning. To be a healthy teen, with a bright future to look forward to.

VBT VS Fusion

The following pictures are the fusion method.

With Spinal Fusion Rods are screwed into the vertebral bodies of the spine Fusing Vertebrae in place and in some cases removing and or fusing disks, it also limits growth due to fusion on that particular area. Grafts take a long time to heal. In certain cases ribs also have to be removed to be used for grafts where rods are screwed into vertebrae, which is extremely painful.

With VBT the screws are placed on the outside of the vertebrae that are causing the scoliosis, a flexible cord is then attached to each bone screw and when the cord is tightened, it compresses the screws to help straighten the curve. Showing immediate improvement and continued improvement as spine continues to grow.

This is the VBT method.

How YOU Can Help

We as Ethan’s parents, family and loved ones are doing all we can to raise the money needed for his surgery, but we also need help. No matter how little. We appreciate any share you can give or any donation however small. We know there are so many worthy causes and people who need your help but every penny and pound we raise will go towards a boy who so desperately wants to hope for a future without pain and suffering, a future where he can have the best quality of life possible. This surgery is vital for Ethan’s wellbeing and his health depends on it. Please. Help us in any way you can. We thank you with all our hearts.

Just a small donation of the cost of a latte from each person could push us to our target and help Ethan become pain FREE. To be able to sleep and have an appetite would mean the absolute world to us, to not have to rely on strong pain relief including Tramadol anymore would make such a huge difference.

If you can’t give, but still want to support out cause, PLEASE share our page with your family, friends, co-workers. With more people aware of our cause, we’ll be one step closer to reaching our goal.

Our Team at Ethan Back In Action would like to thank you all in advance for your support!

I thank you from my heart for reading Ethan’s journey so far and for your support. We hope the best is yet to come!

There are not enough words to say how thankful I am to everyone who has been able to help us

Rachel. Ethan’s mum x

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