2022 – Prisca Nworu
On September 27, 2022, Prisca Nworu from Nigeria, Africa, underwent spinal fusion surgery to correct her severe scoliosis with increased kyphosis. Under the SpineHope Hub program, Prisca was brought to Austin with a 90+ degree curve. Her surgery was a success, performed by Dr. Ryan Murdock of CTPO at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas/Ascension. We thank all who donated services for this life-changing surgery as well as the donors from the 2021 WALK TALL who made this dream a reality for her. Prisca has had a long, arduous journey to get here and wants to share her story.
– THIS IS MY STORY –
My name is Daberechi “Prisca” Nworu and I am from Nigeria. I’m 14 years old and the second daughter in a family of six. As a child I lived a normal life, made friends, played football, and worked like every other child until my world changed a few years ago when my back started to look different as did my sitting and standing posture. My parents took me to the Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria where I was diagnosed with “Idiopathic Thoracolumbar Scoliosis”. This is a word or a sickness we never knew existed before that time. Such cases are rarely discussed where I come from, in Nigeria, because those living with scoliosis are often stigmatized or discriminated against out of ignorance by society.
I did not understand this medical jargon at that time. The doctors made attempts to explain the situation to me and my parents, but all the explanations did not convince my dad and mum that there was no immediate solution or medicines to straighten the curved spine-bones. A physiotherapist was called in and some braces were made; some scoliosis exercises, and sleeping positions were all recommended but none were effective, and my hopelessness increased.
As the days passed, it increasingly became difficult for me to do routine chores or join other kids in the playing field. I even started to lose friends and classmates. Some started avoiding me as if I was “evil” or might have committed an offence. Over time I became insecure, timid and afraid to even interact with my peers and friends. I lost my peace; I lost my happiness as a child. I would cry endlessly, and my parents would cry when they noticed me being moody, sad and withdrawn. My dad and mum spent days surfing the internet and asking questions for help and solutions.
I have endured both physical and emotional pains, but the emotional and psychological pains seem more severe at times. I several times battle with pains and spasms during the night that I cannot handle alone. I get easily exhausted when I exercise or do chores. Oftentimes, I gasp for breath as I do not seem to have enough air in my lungs.
I noticed I was not growing any taller, unlike my friends at school, they are now all taller than me. My teachers and relations always sympathize with me (or do I say pity me), and it made me really sad to be different from others. At School on one occasion, my classmate and a friend innocently approached me and with confidence and a show of concern, asked, “Prisca, why are you always wearing this plastic jacket? Why are your clothes oversized and why do you wear hilly shoes? Why are you bending sideways?”
She and most other children do not understand what I am going through! Some show empathy while some mock me. It further eroded my self-confidence that I look different from other kids.
My parents have also suffered on their own, mostly in silence. They constantly sought help online and offline. I am grateful to my parents, siblings, and family for the support. The silver lining is that I have a loving and supportive family. I am grateful to you all! I was made to understand that their challenge was how to raise funds to pay for scoliosis surgery in a hospital overseas since it could not be done at home.
Hope and laughter were restored in my family when SpineHope broke the news to the family that I had been accepted into the Hub Program. Everybody went into a frenzy of jubilation and gratitude. This is an opportunity to restore my life and a hope of a life without scoliosis, physical and emotional pains and demeaning physical appearance. I am most sincerely happy once again that my self-esteem and joy will soon bounce back.
Lastly, my dream in life is to be one of the best neurosurgeons in the world so that I can also join in giving selfless help to children all over the world who are suffering from the psychological, emotional and physical burdens of Scoliosis; especially for children in resource-poor settings of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. There is lack of experts in this special care area in my country. I want to be a solution.
I aspire to have my own charity hospital where I will support and care for children with special needs just like me. My sincere gratitude goes to every one who has sponsored my surgery. You have not met me, but you approved to save a soul. My special greeting and thanks to the staff and management of Dell Children Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin. May God bless you for the good work you do daily. Once more thanks to SpineHope for giving me hope and the opportunity to live a normal life again.
Your little friend,
Daberechi Prisca Nworu
SpineHope would also like to thank Prisca’s Volunteer Heroes and Medical “Dream Team”:
• Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Member of Ascension & OR/Post-Op Care Teams
• Dr. Ryan Murdock of Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics (CTPO)
• Dr. Royce Hayes & Team at US Anesthesia Partners
• Traci Rademacher & Medtronic Implant/Product Team
• Bridges Gordy & NuVasive Neuromonitoring
• Jessy Faulkner at Thomas Law Firm (Immigration Attorney)
• ARA Diagnostic Imaging
• Dr. Elena Ruiz & Bee Caves Pediatrics
• The Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas
• Prisca’s Sponsors – ALL who donated during the 2021 WALK TALL Benefit…You made this possible!