11-Year-Old Girl Needs Urgent Spine Surgery

Eleven-year-old Jenica Jenkins, an aspiring fashionista, is in need of urgent medical attention following a severe scoliosis diagnosis in January 2023. 

Jenica’s mother, Kezia Young, described her daughter as “a bright, beautiful, energetic little girl.” Young told News 5, “Initially, when we tried to get care for her, we thought that at first we just needed a brace, but upon deeper checkup we realised that she, that the curvature in her spine was beyond what the brace could fix and surgery was recommended, and we immediately started searching for doctors and paediatricians that could provide the surgical care that she would need.” Jenica and her mother live in Belize City. 

 

 

According to Young, when she first reached out to the World Paediatric Team, Jenica was not considered a priority case; however, within one year, Jenica’s condition has worsened. 

After reaching out to various healthcare providers, a surgical team was found to evaluate Jenica. However, a scheduled surgery in April was postponed to September and ultimately cancelled due to the unavailability of a paediatric surgeon. Young explained, “The paediatric surgeon that was supposed to be coming with the team would not be coming in the team, so the surgery would have been a no-go, meaning that she would not be getting the surgery anymore.”

 

 

Young added, “Throughout this year, she has been experiencing a lot more pain than usual. A lot more limitations. She can’t play as much without experiencing pain… Sometimes it can be tiring and painful for her, so she lays down a lot.”

Despite her challenges, Jenica remains optimistic. “I feel super good as usual,” she shared, expressing her dream of becoming a fashion designer and modelling them one day.

In a bid to fund her daughter’s surgery, Young is actively seeking donations. “Any assistance is good assistance,” she emphasised. A GoFundMe page has been established, and contributions can also be sent directly to Young’s account at Atlantic Bank (Kezia Arnold, Account No. 211534151). Jenica’s mother can be reached at +501-621-8940.