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Karin has had Infantile Scoliosis all her life and has worn lifts on her shoes as a child, was braced for several years, and has undergone many terms of physiotherapy but has suffered with incredible pain. Even though Karin has lived with this she has been an extremely involved mother and wife. Her love for the Lord is displayed in her life daily as she follows Him with her whole heart.

Over the years the pain has steadily increased and a year ago reduced Karin to a housebound life, living most of her days going from the couch to her bed on ice packs. Even though she is on heavy medication she can currently only be vertical for about 15-30 minutes, is unable to go to church, walk more than half a block, drive, or even ride in a vehicle lying down for anything longer than a few minutes. At home she is often unable to bend down to pick things up, climb stairs, and needs help with most things. Doctors have recommended that Karin just learn to adjust to a new “style of life”, increase her meds, and have the option of surgery to fuse her lower spine once she is completely bedridden. Unfortunately, this will leave her with even less mobility and no guarantee of a reduction in her pain.  Seeing her daily bouts with severe pain is so distressing to us and thinking of it becoming her new "style of life" is heartbreaking....

After much prayer and research an implant surgery was brought to our attention that is offered in Europe. Dr. Thomas Bierstedt and the team at ONZ in Germany were able to determine from her MRI that Karin has virtually no disc left at L5-S1 because of a severe wedge-shaped slant and complete instability to the vertebrae at that level. The doctors propose doing a complete removal of any shreds left of the disc and replace it with an implant that would bring the vertebrae to a horizontal plane for the first time in her life. They believe the surgery will give Karin a drastic reduction in pain and allow her to return to activities she has long not been able to take part in.

Karin is so thankful the Lord opened the door to Germany and this surgery. She trust in Him for everything and He has provided greatly! May this surgery be another one of His good gifts to her and she excitedly anticipates life afterwards!

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