 Nayline, an 11-year-old girl from Vanuatu, was born with severe kyphoscoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine occurring in two planes). In addition to having to contend with an increasingly rounded and hunched appearance, over time Nayline’s condition has begun to compromise her growth and overall health. The 11-year-old arrived in Sydney recently with her father Henry for life-changing medical treatment. She is currently receiving specialist care at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, led by the orthopaedic team of Dr Angus Gray, who has a special interest in scoliosis.
Nayline is undergoing a two-stage surgical process. Stage 1involved a disc release and the application of halo-gravity traction. This stage lasted four weeks, with Nayline remaining in hospital to allow the traction to straighten up her back. The second stage of Nayline’s treatment, a posterior spinal fusion, was last Friday, 7 March, to stabilise and support her spine, significantly improving her quality of life.
Henry has been staying at Ronald McDonald House so that he was close to Nayline whilst she was in hospital. After nearly five weeks in traction at the hospital followed by successful spinal surgery, Nayline was finally discharged and able to join him at the House this week. She now awaits medical clearance to return home to Vanuatu.
Botany Randwick Rotary Club members have been involved in the care and support of Nayline and Henry during their stay in Randwick.
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