Could you help Macy?
26 March 2021
Two West Midlands Police officers have launched an appeal to pay for life-changing spinal surgery for their 12-year-old daughter.
Kerry and Tobias Handley have already raised more than £50,000, over halfway to their £90,000 target.
They noticed in July 2019 that their daughter, Macy, had a lump near her spine.
An x-ray uncovered abnormal curves in her spine as well as a rotation. Not long after, she was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. She was given a brace to wear 20 hours a day. It was uncomfortable, restrictive and rubbed on her neck, impacting on her mental health.
Initially an x-ray showed the brace was working but further scans have now revealed the curve has increased and spinal fusion was considered.
But Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) which, in essence, is an internal brace is an alternative since the recovery is much quicker than fusion, there is better range of movement afterwards and scarring is less prominent.
The family now wants Macy to have this breakthrough treatment since it will offer her the best chance of growing up to have a close to normal life and enjoy the things other girls her age enjoy.
“We appreciate it is a massive ask and not one we are comfortable with but we will do anything for our little girl so please, give what you can and help Macy live her best life,” says Mum Kerry in a JustGiving appeal.
