Price Transparency
Grace in Motion: How Kathlynn Found Her Inner Strength With Scoliosis

Grace in Motion: How Kathlynn Found Her Inner Strength With Scoliosis

by | Jun 17, 2025 | Prosthetics & Orthotics, Scoliosis & Spine

For Kathlynn, of Waxahachie, Texas, dance is not just a hobby. It is an outlet for expression that brings joy. Just days after Kathlynn’s 10th birthday, she and her family went to the pediatrician for a routine visit. The pediatrician noticed a curve in Kathlynn’s back and administered an X-ray, confirming two curves in her spine. After visiting another facility, the family began searching for resources in their area.

“My husband insisted on getting a second opinion from Scottish Rite for Children,” says Stacy, Kathlynn’s mother. “It was not because he did not believe in the diagnosis. You couldn’t deny the X-ray. However, my husband felt there had to be a place that catered to the experience of children.”

Kathlynn was evaluated by pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., who diagnosed her with the most common type of scoliosis — adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Specifically, Kathlynn has two spinal curves — a thoracic, or upper spine, curve of 21 degrees and a lumbar, or lower spine, curve of 22 degrees. During the same appointment, Kathlynn met with orthotist Sara L. Martinson, C.P.O., who custom made a brace to address her spine curve.

“At our first visit, we had the opportunity to meet Dr. McIntosh, who acknowledged and comforted our fears,” Stacy says. “The fact that the brace is made onsite and adjustments can be done anytime is such a gift to us.”

In Kathlynn’s case, brace wear came with the fear of being taken away from her passion —dance. Dr. McIntosh and her family agreed on all-day bracing for Kathlynn, with the recommendation to wear it 20 hours a day. With this plan, Kathlynn wears her brace to sleep and only takes it off for dance. While no limitations were placed on Kathlynn’s physical activities, adjusting to a scoliosis brace can be challenging physically and mentally. For Kathlynn, it encouraged her to work harder.

“Despite the physical demands that come from practicing and performing, Kathlynn never lets scoliosis define her,” Stacy says.

While Kathlynn’s journey is not over, she continues to handle bracing with grace. “Scottish Rite has given us more than medical care,” Stacy says. “They’ve given us hope, education and a clear plan. We’re especially grateful for how the team speaks directly to Kathlynn, helping her feel seen and heard. That connection and level of trust have made a huge difference in her commitment and growth.”

One Diagnosis, Two Unique Journeys: Ellie and Josie Take On Scoliosis Together

One Diagnosis, Two Unique Journeys: Ellie and Josie Take On Scoliosis Together

by | Jun 9, 2025 | Prosthetics & Orthotics, Scoliosis & Spine

With an insatiable love for reading, 13-year-old Ellie and 10-year-old Josie, of McGregor, Texas, have always turned the page of their story together, even as they face scoliosis side by side. Their mother, Sarah, recognized the signs early as she was diagnosed with scoliosis herself as a teenager.

“I always knew it could be a possibility for my kids,” Sarah says. “I noticed that both girls began to develop curves that were apparent even to an untrained eye, so we started to look for options.”

Ellie, Josie and their family came to Scottish Rite for Children where they receive treatment from Megan E. Johnson, M.D. — medical director of Ambulatory Care, pediatric orthopedic surgeon and program director of the Dorothy & Bryant Edwards Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedics and Scoliosis. During their first evaluation, Dr. Johnson discovered that both girls have idiopathic scoliosis, the most common type of scoliosis with no known cause.

While Ellie and Josie share a similar diagnosis, no two spine curves are the same. Ellie has adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which primarily affects children and teens between the ages of 10 to 18. In her case, she has two curves — a 30-degree thoracolumbar curve, where the upper and lower parts of the spine meet, and a 21-degree thoracic, or middle back, curve. Josie has juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, which affects children between the ages of 4 to 10. In her case, she has a 33-degree thoracic curve.

To treat both girls, Dr. Johnson recommended bracing. Bracing is typically used for curves measuring between 20 and 45 degrees. It is prescribed to prevent curves from worsening. For Ellie and Josie, Dr. Johnson instructed them to wear their scoliosis braces for 18 to 20 hours a day.

“I knew one scoliosis brace could be expensive,” Sarah says. “However, two? Could we really afford that?” To make Ellie’s and Josie’s braces more affordable, their family enrolled in Scottish Rite’s Crayon Care program. Crayon Care is a charity care program that provides financial assistance to families receiving treatment at Scottish Rite. “Scottish Rite’s Crayon Care has been such a blessing to us,” Sarah says. “We know we are getting the best care for Ellie and Josie.”

Scottish Rite’s in-house Orthotics and Prosthetics department created custom braces for Ellie and Josie for same-day fittings at their appointments. Additionally, their care team consists of certified pediatric nurse practitioner Emily Chapman, APRN, CPNP-PC, and Director of Orthotics Don Virostek, C.P.O., L.P.O. Virostek creates and fits Ellie’s and Josie’s braces while Chapman monitors their spine curves for any growth.

While bracing started as simply a treatment plan, it kick-started a friendly competition between the sisters. All Scottish Rite for Children braces include a small temperature-sensitive device that tracks how long a child wears their brace and their progression.

“Ellie and Josie get really competitive about wearing their braces,” Sarah says. “We always look forward to seeing who wore their braces longer when we visit Scottish Rite.”  

Recently, the girls returned to Scottish Rite for a visit with their three younger sisters. During their appointment, they discovered the winner of their brace-wearing contest. By a difference of only one hour, Ellie wore her brace longer. Although their story is still being written, Ellie and Josie continue to support each other through every chapter.

“We are thankful to see the improvements in their spines,” Sarah says. “I’ve recommended Scottish Rite to other parents because of the level of care. We are so thankful that Scottish Rite is relatively close by and feel great, knowing we have this wonderful resource.”

Chloe Races Toward Her Future

Chloe Races Toward Her Future

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Limb Lengthening, Prosthetics & Orthotics

Previously published in Rite Up, 2025 – Issue 1

“This is me, this is who I am, and I am not ashamed of it,” says 17-year-old Chloe, of Panhandle, Texas. She lives by this motto. With hopes of competing in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, she is a rising star in adaptive track and field.

Chloe was born with fibular hemimelia in her left leg. Her fibula, the small bone in her shin, was missing. Before her first birthday, she underwent a Syme’s amputation to remove her foot and ankle joint. Chloe began learning how to walk with a prosthesis.

“We did a lot of research before deciding to amputate her leg,” says Sheryl, Chloe’s mother. “We made a decision Chloe would live with for the rest of her life, not us. Whatever decision we made was never going to be an easy one, but it was whatever would make Chloe’s life easier.”

At age 14, Chloe began receiving multidisciplinary care at Scottish Rite for Children from pediatric orthopedic surgeon Corey S. Gill, M.D., M.A., and Orthotist and Prosthetist Manager Kelsey Thompson, C.P.O., L.P.O. As her care team worked alongside her to address her specific needs, Chloe transitioned from being a multisport athlete to dedicating her talents in adaptive track and field. 

She excels in running, throwing and long jumping, earning recognition as one of the 2024 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field High School Athletes of the Year.

On and off the field, Chloe’s care team supports her diverse interests. Scottish Rite prosthetists have created numerous state-of-the-art prostheses for her, including an everyday walking leg and a running blade for sprinting track events, designed to mimic the natural motion of a foot for running or jumping. Recently, the team produced a specialty prosthesis designed for long jumping, supporting her dream to go the distance and in her pursuit of Paralympic success. They also developed an adjustable heel height prosthesis to match the height of whatever shoes she chooses to wear — from cowboy boots to high heels. Chloe plans to major in kinesiology, continue adaptive track and field, and inspire other young athletes.

“Dr. Gill and Kelsey always believed in me,” Chloe says. “It feels amazing to run with kids who look like me. As long as I have my two legs, I’ll keep pushing forward and never let anything hold me back.”

Read the full issue.

Texas Country Reporter: The Artistic Prosthetist Dwight Putnam

Texas Country Reporter: The Artistic Prosthetist Dwight Putnam

by | Mar 25, 2025 | Press Coverage, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Spotlight

Dwight Putnam discovered that his artistic talent could transform the lives of children at Scottish Rite for Children. He transitioned from working as a sculptor to a prosthetist, finding his calling in crafting prostheses that empower children with limb differences. For the past 18 years, Dwight has served as an integral part of Scottish Rite for Children’s in-house Orthotics and Prosthetics department, designing, fitting, and delivering custom-made prostheses to address each patient’s specific needs.

“It is really rare for somebody to have a job that shows the immediate contribution you have to someone’s well-being,” Dwight says. “To be able to just be a part of that process is awesome.”

To learn more about Dwight’s story, watch his segment shown on the Texas Country Reporter.

Micaela’s Road to Confidence Through Expert Care

Micaela’s Road to Confidence Through Expert Care

by | Feb 28, 2025 | Hip Disorders, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Scoliosis & Spine

Micaela, of Northlake, Texas, is described by her family as the “ultimate girly girl.” She can often be seen arriving to her appointments at Scottish Rite for Children wearing pink or purple with bows in her hair. At age 6, she is full of confidence and fearlessness — a feat gained from the support she receives daily from her family and care team at Scottish Rite.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Micaela was born with several conditions. She was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis, a spinal curve that is present at birth. She also has tibial hemimelia in her left leg, meaning part of the bone in her lower leg  was missing at birth. This ultimately led to the amputation of her lower leg. Additionally, Micaela has dysplasia of her left hip, a condition in which the hip joint did not form correctly. Because of these conditions, her family recognized early on that she would need specialized, expert care.

“On the island, access to specialists was limited due to long waiting lists,” says Emele, Micaela’s mother. “Since coming to Scottish Rite, Micaela has become more independent, thanks to her care team.”

After moving to Texas to be closer to family, Micaela was referred to Scottish Rite by a pediatrician to receive multidisciplinary care. Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Jaysson T. Brooks, M.D., led Micaela’s spinal care, which required her to wear a series of Mehta casts. These casts were used until she could be transitioned to custom spine braces created by Scottish Rite’s Orthotics and Prosthetics team.

“One of Micaela’s favorite parts about coming to Scottish Rite is playing with the projector games on the wall in the waiting room, right before going in for an X-ray,” Emele says. “At each appointment, Dr. Brooks makes sure we don’t leave with any questions about her care.”

Her team of orthotists creates prostheses that adjust to her physical needs and aesthetic preferences, incorporating rainbow and unicorn designs. Micaela also meets with occupational therapists to practice moving around in a walker and wheelchair. While her care journey is not over, Micaela’s family has joined Scottish Rite’s Peer Support Program to connect with other families whose children have similar medical conditions.

“Without a doubt, our Scottish Rite experience has made us feel like we are around family,” Emele says. “We are excited to meet with other families and potentially gain new friends. To us, Scottish Rite means hope for a better life for my girl.”

Aurora’s Energy Shines Bright with Her Limb Difference

Aurora’s Energy Shines Bright with Her Limb Difference

by | Feb 24, 2025 | Limb Lengthening, Prosthetics & Orthotics

Aurora, age 2, is bursting with energy and enjoys playing with dolls and having tea parties with her family. She was born with fibular hemimelia, a rare condition that caused her fibula, or calf bone, to be missing in her right leg.

Aurora and her family came to Scottish Rite for Children to determine whether they should keep or amputate Aurora’s foot. After discussions with pediatric orthopedic surgeon Corey S. Gill, M.D., M.A., they decided amputation was the best option, which prepared Aurora for a prosthesis. Since receiving her custom-made prosthesis, Aurora is unstoppable and is enjoying the ability to walk, run and play with her siblings.

Watch Aurora’s full care journey down below!