Community Rallies to Support Young Carlow Girl, Roxanne Kelly, in Urgent Fight Against Scoliosis
The community has united to support seven-year-old Roxanne Kelly from Carlow, Ireland, who is battling severe scoliosis. Roxanne, born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis, requires urgent surgery to prevent the deterioration of an 80-degree curve in her spine. Her parents, Máirín and Declan Kelly, have launched a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of treatment at the Paley Orthopaedic and Spine Institute in Florida.
Roxanne’s Journey: Arthrogryposis and Early Surgeries
Roxanne and her twin brother, Curtis, were born in May 2018. Arthrogryposis, a condition impacting physical movement in all four limbs, initially prevented Roxanne from sitting, standing, or feeding herself. The family successfully raised funds for major surgeries on her dislocated hips and legs, performed in Florida, which enabled her to sit upright and move her legs.
The Urgent Require for Scoliosis Surgery
Following the success of previous surgeries, Roxanne now faces a novel challenge: severe scoliosis. Without further treatment, her condition will deteriorate rapidly. The family is now seeking to raise an additional €60,000 to return to Florida for surgery involving growing rods to strengthen her spine and halt its progression. A spinal curve exceeding 50 degrees is considered serious and typically requires surgical intervention.
Previous Challenges with Irish Healthcare System
The Kelly family previously faced difficulties accessing timely treatment within the Irish healthcare system. Roxanne was initially on a surgical waiting list for four years for her hip and leg surgeries, but was later removed without explanation. This experience led them to seek treatment abroad.
A Supportive Family and Community
Despite her health challenges, Roxanne is described as an intelligent and energetic child who shares a close bond with her twin brother, Curtis, and older brother, Ryan. The family has already received over two thousand contributions from supporters across Ireland and beyond, bringing them closer to their fundraising goal.
How to Help
Those wishing to support Roxanne’s fight against scoliosis can donate through the family’s GoFundMe page.
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