Cora Finds Her Way Back to the Stage with Care from Shriners Children’s Northern California

Cora has loved dancing since she was 2 years old. She started off in ballet class, and it just stuck.

Over the past 11 years, that love grew into something more. Cora added lyrical, contemporary and jazz dance, performing in school musicals, dancing competitively and building a schedule that often stretched into the evening after school. Whether she was in the studio or on stage, she seemed most like herself when she was performing.

Then a routine checkup revealed something unexpected and changed everything.

A Diagnosis That Altered Her Rhythm

Cora was 10 when her pediatrician noticed signs of scoliosis during a standard screening. “When she leaned over to get checked, I went, ‘Oh my God’ – you could immediately tell there was something wrong,” said Cora’s mom, Lindsay.

In the United States, 2-5% of children develop scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves to make a C or S shape, rather than growing in a straight line. Over time, the curve can worsen, become more noticeable and cause pain. If severe scoliosis is left untreated, it has the potential to impact the heart, lungs and other internal organs as they grow and crowd together.

X-rays confirmed two spinal curves. At first, the plan was bracing, and Cora committed fully. For a year, she followed instructions carefully, wearing the brace as directed and attending regular imaging appointments. “She’s the kind of kid who does everything she’s asked to do,” Lindsay said. “She wanted it to work.”

But despite her efforts, the curves continued to progress. At the same time, unexpected changes in the family’s insurance disrupted her care. What followed was a frustrating stretch of uncertainty, delays and unanswered questions.

By the time Cora’s imaging results were examined months after they were taken, her condition had worsened significantly. “It felt like we had lost time,” Lindsay said. “I was desperate to get care for my child.”

Searching for Answers

Determined to find specialized care, Lindsay began pursuing a referral to Shriners Children’s Northern California. “I had heard about Shriners Children’s and the spine care there,” Lindsay said. “At that point, I knew that’s where we needed to go.”

When Cora was seen at Shriners Children’s in September 2025, the severity of her scoliosis had increased again. Her curves had progressed to a point where spinal fusion surgery was no longer a question of “if” but “when.”

During that first visit, they met Rolando Roberto, M.D., chief of staff and chief of orthopedics, who would lead Cora’s care. “What stood out right away was how much he focused on Cora as a person,” Lindsay said. “Not just her spine.”

Cora’s love of dance quickly became part of the conversation. “Dr. Roberto really wanted to understand what mattered to her,” Lindsay said. “He made it clear that the goal was to help her get back to the things she loves.”

Surgery: The Turning Point

In the months leading up to surgery, Cora’s symptoms intensified. Pain became more frequent, affecting her sleep, her ability to concentrate in school and her time in the studio.

Her care team worked to prepare her for what was ahead. A child life specialist helped ease her anxiety, especially around her fear of needles, by explaining each step of the process and introducing her to the spaces and people she would encounter. “They showed me what everything would look like,” Cora said. “That helped a lot.”

When a surgical opening became available sooner than expected, the family moved quickly. Rather than waiting months, Cora would have her procedure in January 2026. “It felt sudden, but in a good way,” Lindsay said. “We had been waiting so long.”

On January 14, 2026, Cora underwent a T5-L4 spinal fusion at Shriners Children’s Northern California.

For her parents, the hours during surgery were filled with anticipation and emotion, balanced by steady communication from the care team. “We knew she was in good hands,” Lindsay said. “That made all the difference.”

After surgery, Cora was closely monitored in the pediatric intensive care unit before transitioning to her inpatient room.

As the days went on, small milestones began to add up: sitting up, standing and taking those first careful steps.

Building Strength, Step by Step

Cora spent five days recovering at Shriners Children’s before returning home, where her progress continued at a remarkable pace. “The day after we got home, she was already up and walking,” Lindsay said.

Each day brought improvement. Within weeks, her pain began to subside, replaced by a growing sense of normalcy.

At her one-month follow-up appointment, Dr. Roberto approved her return to ballet, starting with just one hour. “We didn’t waste any time,” Lindsay said. “We went straight back to the studio.”

By the spring, just a few months after surgery, Cora set her sights on auditioning for her competitive dance team. “She went in with a really healthy perspective,” Lindsay said. “She kept saying, ‘I’m just happy I can do this at all.’”

She not only made the team – she was also selected for a solo.

A Different Kind of Support

For Lindsay, one of the most meaningful aspects of their experience has been the environment at Shriners Children’s – not only the medical care, but the philosophy behind it. “It never felt like decisions were based on anything other than what Cora needed,” she said. “Every person we met made her feel like the priority.”

That support gave the family space to focus on what mattered most: Cora’s recovery and her future.

Dancing Through Life

Now 13, Cora balances dance with school, leadership activities and community involvement. She is an honor roll student who stayed on track academically throughout her recovery.

Outside the classroom, she continues to perform both in dance and music. She has participated in school musicals and talent shows, and is preparing to sing the national anthem at the El Dorado County Fair.

Last summer, she was crowned Junior Miss El Dorado County, opening doors to volunteer work and community events. “I like meeting new people and supporting different causes,” Cora said.

She has also begun sharing her scoliosis journey more publicly, hoping to encourage others facing similar challenges. She often wears dresses that show off her surgery scars. “I want people to know you can still do what you love,” Cora said.

Now back in the studio, Cora is gradually increasing her training, working toward a full return to the styles she loves most.

And as she looks forward to performances, competitions and new opportunities, she does so with the same determination that carried her through. “Shriners Children’s gives kids opportunities to work towards what they want [to do] while taking care of themselves medically,” she said.