Shanais' dream is to be on the stage and perform. She is such an active young lady who is amazing at what she does. Shanais' whole life is based around her gymnastics, dancing , drama and singing, and she has future aspirations of performing on stage and teaching drama.

In Dec'15 we discovered Shanais had two severe scoliosis curves, which is curvature of the spine. We have now discovered a curve has formed in her neck and she also has hip displacement. Shanais is in regular pain and is understandably very worried about how the scoliosis is going to affect her life.

The operation in the US is called Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT). This is not currently available in the UK but is a lot more advanced than the spinal fusion rod which is used in the UK. VBT is a lot less invasive with only small incisions under her armpit, not cutting all the way down her back like with the rod. Her recovery will only be 6 weeks with VBT. Her spine will still be able to still grow (unlike the rod), she will be pain free and she will have less complications when it comes to having children of her own.

The most important factor is that by having the VBT Shanais will have full flexibility and be able to go back to her gymnastics, dancing and any other sports, just like anyone else. Anyone who knows Shanais will know how important this is to her.

We appreciate this is such a large amount of money to raise, but we are so determined to try for Shanais. We are hoping, funds permitted, that Shanais will have the operation at the beginning of August 2016, with Dr Antonacci and Dr Betz at the Spine & Scoliosis Institute.

So I'm asking as a mum please help me raise the money needed to allow Shanais to have this operation and give her the pain free future she deserves and allow her to fulfil her dreams.. Any amount no matter how small will be so gratefully received. Also if anyone has any fundraising ides or further questions I'd love to hear from you.

Yours Wishfully, Shelley