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Metal rods put ballerina Billie back on her feet
CURED: By spinal rods
MOVED: As she grows
WHEN it comes to her beloved ballet lessons, nothing is tutu risky for brave eight-year-old Billie Stanton.
Not even having STEEL RODS screwed into her SPINE just so she could get up on her toes and dance again.
That's the choice the plucky little lass faced after the heartbreak of being diagnosed with crippling curvature of the spine.
"It would have ended her ballet-and dancing is her dream," says her proud mum Lisa, 36.
"Not even the frightening thought of a major operation was going to stop her doing the thing she loved."
And just twelve weeks after the risky EIGHT-HOUR surgery amazing Billie was back in her pumps pirouetting again. Her ordeal began when Lisa and builder dad Simon, 37, noticed one of her shoulders was higher than the other and took her to the doctor who ordered X-rays.
"It was such a shock when we saw them and were told what Billie had," says school administrator Lisa. "There was such a severe curve in her spine."
Billie's condition, scoliosis, can develop in children between nine and 14 during growth spurts and needs surgery in extreme cases. "They told us she needed her spine straightened or she would be crippled," says Lisa. "But all Billie was worried about was not being able to dance."
Courageous Billie, of Northampton, had two adjustable steel rods pinned to her spine. She will need surgery every six months to lengthen the rods as she grows.
"It was the longest eight hours of my life," says Lisa. "When Billie came round she couldn't wait to ask the doctors when she could dance again."
Billie-who has been performing with local dance company Starlight since she was four-only had a few months to wait. She took part in a competition in Leicester while still on painkillers. Then she had another op in April to lengthen the rods.
Lisa says: "She is already starting to stand straighter and when I see her on stage I'm just so proud of her.
"Billie shows anything is possible if you try hard enough."
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This article has 8 comments
thank you for all the comments i am steal danceing.anythin is possible if you try hard
By billie stanton.. Posted January 13 2010 at 8:07 PM.
My daughter is 6 in August and has had Scoliosis since she was a baby. The surgeons we see are not very understanding or helpful. I have been told that there is nothing they can do until she has stopped growing. Can anyone please give me some advise on who to see and at what hospital so I can also get the best help for my daughter?
Well done Billie you are an inspiration to us all x
By Joanne.. Posted June 10 2009 at 2:23 PM.
my little girl had the op in april 07 she is 6 in july . she first got diagnosed when she was about 9month old. she had body pots on had to get knock out every six weeks to get them changed . we've tried second skin suite from australia. she got a duble curve.it took a bout 11 hours to do her surgery she was in pcici from the monday till the thursday we were in hospital for 12 days .she has to wheir a brace all the time now carnt do sports for the next 8 to 10 years . she has 4 rods in from her hips they go high up in to her neck.her surgen is brill .alison
By alison .. Posted June 9 2009 at 6:58 PM.
I have known people who have had this operation, whilst it is uncomfortable and painful the results are amazing. It has transformed their lives and whereas they would have been destined to be almost doubled over with the curviture in later years they can look forward to a straight spine and normal lives. It is not just the back that suffers but hips and restricts internal organs.
Good luck with your ballet and your mum and dad did the right thing letting you have this operation. Well done to the surgeons
By Karen 51.. Posted June 7 2009 at 1:17 PM.
Ive been told i hav slight curvature of the spine, and ive just had a MRI on my back to check it out. I was talking about this operation the other day, and i dont think id have the balls to go through with it. She isnt half brave (Y)
By Dani.. Posted June 7 2009 at 10:37 AM.
Poor kid haveing the ops to trun the screws and the
like but best of luck to you kid
By Russell John Buer.. Posted June 7 2009 at 10:24 AM.
My son had this operation 10 years ago and it has been a huge success.
Good luck to Billie for the future.
By bee.. Posted June 7 2009 at 9:47 AM.
Congratulations Billie on what you are achieving, & great storyXX
By Julie.. Posted June 7 2009 at 9:10 AM.