Preeti Kumari Rai, 17, about to risk death and paralysis while having surgery to correct her twisted spine

She was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis with severe deformity at age eight. More than 10 doctors from various hospitals in New Delhi told her there was nothing they could do, but she’s now found a surgeon who will attempt to correct the curvature.
She may not survive the operation - and it could leave her unable to move again - yet, despite the risks, she is determined to have it so she can lead a 'normal' life and one day work for the Government.‘I am very excited about the surgery,’ she said.
‘I’m not nervous at all. I just want a chance to get better. I told many doctors that I’m willing to take the risk; I’m OK with the risk of paralysis.
'I’m not afraid but no doctor would commit. Now I’ve finally found one.’

Preeti, from Faridabad, outside New Delhi, in northern India, lived a very happy childhood but at eight years old she began to get a hunched back and her spine began to twist.
‘We had no idea what was wrong,’ Preeti said.
‘Life became a lot more difficult to what I was used to. I began to slouch to the side and I couldn’t sit up straight, then my shoulder formed a big hunch.’
                                       



‘We love Preeti very much; and she was determined to get help. She was sure there would be treatment for her so we had to support her and continue looking.’
Preeti has clung to the belief that she will be cured one day and live a normal life again.
She said: ‘I have memories of being normal. I remember what it was like to run and sit up straight.
'I want to be like that again and I will do anything to make that happen.’
Preeti, who dreams of being a politician one day after studying politics at Delhi University and Karnataka University, is now preparing herself for surgery within the next month.

She said: ‘It’s a struggle to meet new people. If people don’t talk to me because they feel uncomfortable when they see my condition. I don’t want life to continue like this.
‘I often explain my condition to people even if they don’t ask. I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable by my problem. And if there’s even a slim chance of correction then I’m going to try it.’