Standing Tall with Jordan: Elkmont family seeking help for daughter

Feb. 01--Jordan Haggermaker was a typical teen, physically active, spending time with friends at Elkmont High School and playing softball.

After Shannon Haggermaker noticed an abnormality on her daughter's back, Jordan is no longer living the life that was at one time commonplace.

Jordan, 14, was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, which the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons defines as a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways. The X-rays don't lie: Jordan's spine curves twice, causing her rib cage to twist around into her abdomen, inhibiting breathing and eating.

Jordan's condition meant she had to leave school and now attends virtual courses. She goes to a chiropractor at least twice a week just to get by. A brace therapy did not help and other treatments have had only marginal success.

"She doesn't have anything left," Shannon told The News Courier.

Some research and a friend's tip led the Haggermakers to New Jersey, where Dr. Randal Betz performs a relatively new procedure called Vertebral Body Tethering. Traditionally, scoliosis is treated with steel rods implanted in vertebrae that prevents the spine from curving more, but that surgery holds the possibility of Jordan losing 50 percent or her mobility, reduced flexibility post-operation and a 25 percent chance of blindness as a result of the surgery.

"She's 14 years old -- we're not willing to do that," Shannon said.

Vertebral Body Tethering is the best chance Jordan has, her mother said. It involves placing screws into vertebrae and aligning them with an industrial strength cord. It's a minimally invasive surgery and has a history of positive results, Shannon said. Other patients who have had the procedure were back to their typical physical activities within six weeks.

"With this surgery, there's no rods in play," she said. "Zero percent loss of mobility ... There's no failure so far. (Jordan) was thrilled that she qualified for the surgery. If we had (the money) we'd go tomorrow."

Insurance won't cover the cost, so Jordan's uncle and aunt Rusty and Megon Griffin are campaigning to raise the money for the $75,000 down payment. Even after the down payment, the total cost of the surgery could fall anywhere between $200,000- $400,000. Shannon said she will have to sign a promissory note for the remaining balance, but she will gladly do it if her daughter can return to the quality of life she once had.

"It might take 100 years," Griffin said to Shannon.

"But I'll pay it," she replied. "I'm more than happy to sign a promissory note."

The Griffins were in the process of starting a nonprofit organization to help Limestone County residents with financial difficulties made worse by chronic medical conditions. Jordan's case seemed to be the perfect starting point for the couple's efforts and Limestone Cares was born.

Standing Tall with Jordan, presented by Limestone Cares, will host two fundraisers for the community to show its support for Jordan. On Saturday, Feb. 18, a benefit dinner and cake auction will be held at West Limestone Volunteer Fire Department at 28500 Alabama 99. Tickets are $15 each and include a full barbecue meal and a bid number for cakes.

On March 4 from noon to 2 p.m., Limestone Cares will host a Boston Butt sale for Jordan. Rusty Griffin said the pickup location is still in the works, but tickets for the meat are already on sale for $30 each.

For more information or to purchase tickets, send a message to the Griffins at info@limestonecares.org or call Shannon at 256-206-2480.

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