Where Every Spine Has a Story

Shriners Children’s Joins the World’s Largest Scoliosis Gathering at Higgy Con

Patients, families and staff from ten states and four Shriners Children's locations recently came together in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for Higgy Con – the world's largest gathering of patients with scoliosis. For the fourth year, Shriners Children's was a sponsor of this annual conference that offers education, encouragement and meaningful connections.

Higgy Con brings together children and teens with scoliosis to remind them they are never alone in their journey. Throughout the conference, attendees participated in many activities, including a fashion show. Families had the opportunity to meet with staff from Shriners Children's Chicago to learn more about the specialized care available throughout our healthcare system.

Education remained a key focus of the conference. Parents and caregivers attended presentations and panels designed to help better understand scoliosis and the treatment options available for their children.

Among the speakers was physician Purnendu Gupta, M.D., who is a pediatric orthopedic spine surgeon and chief of staff at Shriners Children's Chicago. Dr. Gupta's talk covered an extensive overview of scoliosis, discussing the different types of the condition and the personalized treatment options available to patients. This included both surgical and non-surgical approaches, including bracing and surgery, emphasizing that every treatment plan is tailored to meet each child's unique needs.

"When you see other families and parents dealing with scoliosis, you can learn from them, understand what they're going through, and find reassurance," said Dr. Gupta. "I think events like this give families hope, and at the end of the day, we all really need to have it."

Spine nurse Linda Cree, RN, also played a key role throughout the weekend, leading multiple support group sessions and offering families valuable information and heartfelt encouragement. Beyond the educational sessions, Shriners Children's Chicago staff connected with patients across our healthcare system.

Higgy Con was not just informative – it was transformative. Many left the event with new knowledge, renewed hope and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Are you interested in attending Higgy Con 2026? Visit Higgy Bears & Higgy Shop.