National Scoliosis Foundation

Patient Centered Information and Education - Through our website, newsletters, videos, books, support groups, patient conferences, and telephone consulations we strive to ensure thousands of children and families receive the help and hope they need to make critical health care decisions, and avoid the worst effects of progressive spinal deformity.

SMARTT Institute (Scoliosis Management Alternatives, Research, Treatmentand Training) - The Institute is the incarnation of our mission, and isdedicated to finding SMARTT ways to stop the vicious cycle of scoliosisprogression and the resultant health complications, by focusing on globalsolutions as well as the individual needs of each person. SMARTTs medicaland clinical staff provides the following services;- Early Detection: school screening, re-screening and monitoring- Education: comprehensive information for patients and healthcareprofessionals; training of school nurses and physical education teachers in screening procedures; organizing courses in conservative scoliosistreatment methods.-Early Intervention Methods: In cooperation with the patients doctor,provide an understanding of the individual patients deformity, and teachthem the treatment options, corrective and ergonomic behaviors in activities of daily living (ADL), and other information to avoid orminimize future health complications.-Research: Global search and collaboration with scientists, physicians and clinicians to provide evidenced based support and enhancements for non-invasive examination tools and conservative intervention methods.-Access to Healthcare: The SMARTT Institute is open nights and weekends to minimize the burden on families seeking help, and all our services topatients are provided free of charge.

Scoliosis Awareness - Unites scoliosis patients, families, physicians, and clinicians in a collaborative partnership to create a positive publicawareness, education, and advocacy campaign through a grassroots network of local activities, events and media impressions throughout the year.June is designated as Scoliosis Awareness Month, and together with ourpartner, the Scoliosis Research Society, we strive to receivelegislative Proclamations in every state. Key information can providepatients, parents and their children with a better understanding of thesigns and symptoms of scoliosis, and where to get help. This in turn canhelp the healthcare system to be more effective and less costly. Community and grassroots events, such as health seminars and support groups, encourage the sharing of personal stories and connect patients so that no family affected by scoliosis goes through the experience alone. More importantly, through this program we strive to reach our ultimate goal to find the cause, prevention and cure of this spinal deformity, which burdens children, adults, families, and society at large.

Angel Brigade - The Angel Brigade is a special group of young positiveminded active patients who are working as Ambassadors to tell their storyand promote the importance of early detection, treatment and research. Wehope to educate, encourage and empower these patients to provide peer topeer support and outreach activities in their local area. Together, with the young leaders we seek to build a national network of volunteer service for the scoliosis community and an educational pathway for a new generation of scoliosis leaders in all walks of life. We plan to attract and identify these potential next generation of leaders through referrals from physicians and clinicians, and by introducing an Angel Brigade regional scholarship program for high school juniors preparing for college.