An Extra-ordinary Princess
When Natalya was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis as an infant, her mother's world was shattered. She wasn't sure whether Natalya would be able to live a 'normal' life or how long she was even expected to survive. At age 2, Natalya went to see Dr. Ron El-Hawary where she was evaluated and treated with the VEPTR device. She became the first Canadian patient enrolled in the Children's Spine Registry. Over the next few years, she underwent multiple hospitalizations and surgeries to help her spine and chest grow. Natalya, now 7 years old, is her mother's princess and is playing, laughing, and growing!