Jayla some days would mention her back hurt, and other days she'd run around without a single complaint. When she brought up the pain, especially during chores, her parents assumed it was growing pains or just a case of not wanting to help out. Jayla’s dad had always noticed that one of Jayla's shoulders sat slightly higher than the other, but it never raised any alarms, especially since Jayla didn’t complain or notice herself.

Scoliosis had never come up during her routine physicals, and without any consistent or alarming symptoms, there was simply no reason to suspect anything was wrong. It took an unlikely turn of events, a simple cold and an X-ray, to reveal the reason behind her pain. The imaging showed a significant spinal curve, and suddenly, everything her family had brushed off as ordinary started to make sense.

The family traveled from Turks and Caicos to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for Jayla’s care after being referred to a spine specialist and a close friend’s referral.

"When Jayla's family came to us, they had many thoughtful questions and understandable concerns as they faced an uncertain and emotional journey," said Dr. Thomas Errico, Associate Director of Pediatric Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Spine at Nicklaus Children's Hospital and Jayla's surgeon. "What I wanted them to know was that they had come to the right place. Our team has extensive experience caring for children with complex spinal conditions, and we would be with them every step of the way, providing not only expert care but also reassurance and support to help Jayla and her family through this challenging time."

It wasn’t until 2024 that Jayla was diagnosed with scoliosis, and given the severity of her curve, she underwent spinal correction surgery at just 13 years old. Her mom, Rhondda, never left her side. "I was scared, I won't lie," Rhondda recalled. "But from the moment we walked through those doors at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, we felt like we were in the right place. The team made us feel so confident and so supported every step of the way."

Jayla is now 15 and back home in Turks and Caicos. She stands taller and the shoulder that once sat a little higher than the other, is now just a detail in the story of her healing journey. She does her chores and doesn't complain, something her parents laugh about.

"I didn't realize how much my back was affecting me until it didn't hurt anymore," Jayla said. "Now I feel like I can do anything, even help my mom out with my chores." Jayla's story is a powerful reminder that scoliosis doesn't always announce itself loudly, and that sometimes, it takes one unexpected moment to uncover what's been there all along.

At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Florida’s leading scoliosis care provider, kids like Jayla receive advanced care, faster recovery, and compassionate support.