URGENT UPDATE: A four-year-old girl, Lillie Russell, is facing a devastating medical journey after suffering a severe spinal injury at a soft play centre. Just a simple accident has led to a diagnosis of ‘accident induced scoliosis’, leaving her with a spine curvature of nearly 70 degrees.
The incident occurred when Lillie was at the bottom of a slide and was crashed into by another child. This unexpected collision triggered a condition that deteriorated her spine over time, requiring multiple medical interventions. Her mother, Amelia Russell, 34, from Earls Barton in Northamptonshire, expressed her shock: “You don’t expect your children to come back from soft play with such a severe injury.”
After the accident, Lillie was rushed to A&E, where doctors delivered the distressing news that her back might be broken, despite her not showing any pain. This shocking revelation marked the beginning of a prolonged and painful medical ordeal.
Since receiving her diagnosis in the summer of 2023, Lillie has undergone three spine-stretching procedures under general anaesthetic. Sadly, none of these procedures succeeded in correcting the curvature, which has drastically worsened, now requiring her to wear a back brace for 22 hours a day.
Amelia shared the heart-wrenching details: “After the third operation, we realized that it was not correcting. The muscles were wasting. It was horrific.” Lillie’s situation is urgent; she needs surgery to insert metal rods into her spine, but this can only take place once she grows older.
The family is now navigating this difficult chapter while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for Lillie and her siblings, Albie, 5, and Rosie, 9 months. Amelia and her husband Dan, 44, manage a roofing company and have faced immense stress balancing their growing business with Lillie’s medical needs.
In an inspiring turn, the family has launched an Instagram account, @lillielivingwithscoliosis, to share their journey and raise awareness about scoliosis. Amelia stated, “Lillie is a girly girl who loves unicorns. But this is her nightmare, and mine too.”
As the family awaits Lillie’s next operation, they are also planning a much-needed escape to Abu Dhabi in January, made possible by insurance from Staysure, which has been essential for their peace of mind amid the ongoing health challenges.
Sophie Davis from Staysure praised Lillie’s resilience: “She is a real inspiration. We’re pleased to provide her family the protection they need to keep enjoying family holidays.”
This heartbreaking yet hopeful story highlights the urgent need for awareness and support for children dealing with scoliosis and the families that care for them. As Lillie continues her battle, her story serves as a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges.
