Competitive Swimmer Braves Spine Surgery

Amy Fryer was one of her daughter’s swim coaches. She saw Ellie in a bathing suit every day. So it came as a shock when she learned her daughter had scoliosis.

She originally thought Ellie's hip hip was pushed out because of her being a teenager with a little bit of attitude. But she took Ellie to the pediatrician anyway, and at first the doctor didn’t notice anything, either. But the pediatrician took an X-ray to ease their minds and then called with bad news: Ellie had a severe S curve in her spine and needed to go see an orthopedic surgeon.

This led them to Cincinnati Children's where Ellie braved spinal surgery and with determination returned to competitive swimming.