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I was recently emailed some really great information about some parents making a difference in the field of Infantile Scoliosis.  Up to this point, my exposure to Infantile Scoliosis has been non-existent, because I’ve had my hands very full dealing with my two children’s Idiopathic Scoliosis.  However, I am very impressed by the work of Jennifer and Russell Leggett, and their desire to educate other parents dealing with Infantile Scoliosis through the self-publishing of a book called “Cole and The Crooked Flower”.   (http://www.rockethub.com/projects/2483-cole-and-the-crooked-flower)  They are currently raising funds to publish the book and, although they have met their initial goal, will continue to raise funds in order to grow the amount of books they can publish.  They want to make this book available to all families dealing with Infantile Scoliosis, and use any funds generated to support the wonderful work of the Scoliosis Outreach Program.   I had the privilege of reading a few pages of their upcoming book and it is a very creative, whimsical, and relatable story about a young boy that goes to many lengths to “cure” a little crooked flower that he found in his yard.  Although I have yet to see how it ends, I think this book will be a wonderful way to support children and their families during their battle with Scoliosis, but also to educate them  and promote non-surgical solutions to the problem.   The excellent news here is that the Leggett’s son Cole, after spending a year in serial body casts, is growing nice and straight!  Through their own diligent research, and the help of the Scoliosis Outreach Program, the Leggetts were connected with one of only a handful of US doctors that are trained properly in the casting technique.  The Scoliosis Outreach Program (www.infantilescoliosis.org) was founded by another amazing Mother, Heather Hyatt Montoya, who wanted to create an educational tool for other parents.  She paired up with Dr. Min Mehta, who has straightened over 100 infants/young children by treating them early in their development with a series of corrective plaster casts.  She has followed her patients after 10 years, and they continue to remain straight.  In an email from Jenn Leggett, she explained to me that only the Mehta/EDF casting, when applied using the Early Treatment principles, has shown to provide positive results for these children.  US research shows that 75-80% or more of kids who get Mehta/EDF casting before 20 months and with curves under 50 degrees will get complete correction.  It is crucial that the children are diagnosed early and correctly to maximize success.  As with all things, there are exceptions to the rule – kids who have other underlying causes for their Scoliosis, or children whose spines are not flexible enough to respond to treatment, but for the majority of cases, this is very promising data.  I’ve said it time and again: when, and if, your Doctor tells you to “wait and see”, please don’t listen!!  Do something.  Disclaimer: something non-surgical at first!   And, the Leggetts and Heather Montoya have done something, not just for themselves, but for other families.  If your family is battling Infantile Scoliosis, please get in contact with the Scoliosis Outreach Program and join with other parents who are fighting the battle, too.  Don’t wait and see – ACT and SUCCEED!

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