Addison is a bright, determined teenager with a heart full of drive. Whether it's excelling in school, giving her all on the field, or supporting her friends, she commits fully to everything she does. Her accomplishments shine, but for much of her young life, Addison was carrying the weight of a serious medical condition that threatened to limit her potential.

She had been experiencing severe back pain, shortness of breath, and persistent digestive discomfort. After months of escalating symptoms and inconclusive answers, Addison was diagnosed with severe scoliosis, a complex spinal deformity in which the spine curves abnormally, sometimes resembling an “S” or “C” shape.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, scoliosis can lead to complications when spinal curves exceed 40 to 50 degrees, including restricted lung function, chronic pain, and displacement of internal organs. In Addison’s case, the curvature was so advanced that it impaired her ability to breathe correctly and caused noticeable distortion in her posture. This created not only physical challenges, but also emotional ones.

“She struggled with body confidence,” her mother shared. “The uneven waist, the rib hump, the leaning posture, it all took a toll.”

Even more disheartening, the local treatment options were outdated and offered only limited outcomes. “We were told the surgery would leave her with lifelong mobility restrictions,” her mother recalled. “We knew we had to find a better path for her.”

That path led them to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, home to some of the most innovative scoliosis treatments in the country. But the financial cost of cross-country travel made it seem unreachable until they discovered Miracle Flights.