Up for the Challenge
Con Franklin, dad to Jack (5)
Life is, in many ways, a genetic lottery. Some kids (me included) are lucky enough to progress through life with no more than the occasional split lip or grazed knee due to some over-ambitious BMX ramp stylings. Others have far more to contend with.
Our son Jack was born with a rare and severe form of congenital scoliosis, meaning his spine has a very pronouced ‘s’ shaped curve which requires regular surgical intervention to help ensure he grows properly. We were prepared for it – his condition was first noticed by a sonography technician at the 20-week scan – and mercifully, living in Beckenham, he is able to take advantage of the superb care of Great Ormond Street Hospital, which houses some of the finest paediatric spinal experts in the world.
For parents, having a child
whose treatment plan is measured in decades rather than months is a daunting and highly emotional thing. Jack had his first major surgery at the age of two – spending over five hours in theatre under general anaesthetic while all we could do was wait it out.
Thankfully, all went well and he is now the proud owner of a mini-rod in his back to help stop the curve getting worse as he grows. However, we know that this is the first of many such operations which will last well into Jack’s teens – requiring steely resolve and a commitment to be pragmatic and not let this thought dominate our lives.
We’ve learned a lot on the journey so far. Jack is in every way the typical boy of five – he loves his superheroes, is fascinated by numbers and letters, and is progressing very well in his reception class. Our worries – that he