Sydney is 12 years old and has cerebral palsy and scoliosis. She was never able to sit up by herself, and at birth, had difficulty holding her head up. She was in great pain and the problems were potentially life-threatening. Because of surgery she had at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital, Sydney is functioning much better. She can now sit on her own as a result of the rods that were placed in her back. While she is non-verbal, she can communicate with facial expressions, laughter and clapping, and she is doing everything more easily since her surgery through LAOH.

Sydney has had outstanding family support since she was born. It was several years of intensive searching by her parents for the right care which led to LAOH. Her parents, Tina and Bob, sister, Carson and brother, Weston have made every assurance possible to insure Sydney is a regular part of the family. Sydney cheers on her sister at soccer games; works on a laptop at school; competes in triathlons with her dad; and is particularly cherished by her brother.

Sydney’s mother, Tina, says “LAOH is truly a children’s hospital which knows what they are doing. The hospital staff of doctors, nurses, cleaning people, cafeteria staff, and even the security guards were kind and friendly.” When Sydney had her surgery, Tina says there was never a time when they didn’t know exactly what was happening. Dad says, “Dr. Scaduto was wonderful with us.” There has been such an improvement in Sydney’s ability to sit up. Sydney has more confidence in her physical abilities which carries over into her attitude about things in general.

Young patients who prevail against all odds, parents who encourage their children to be brave, and doctors who perform miracles small and large — these are the unsung heroes of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital. Thousands of children with debilitating orthopaedic conditions are treated every year at our Downtown and Westside facilities In alliance with UCLA, our doctors and researchers are working together to find solutions to some of the greatest challenges in pediatric orthopaedic medicine today to give heroic children what most of us take for granted — the gift of motion.

For more information on how you can help the children of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, visit us here.

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