Hannah, 30, is many things — a special needs athlete, a dancer, a collector, and above all, a vibrant soul with a boundless love for life. She fills her days with sports, music, and the magic of Harry Potter, her energy lighting up every room she enters. But behind the smiles and enthusiasm lies a serious spine condition that has been building for years — a challenge she is now ready to face head-on with the help of skilled surgeon Dr. Bassel Diebo.
A Complicated Medical History
Fifteen years ago, Hannah underwent scoliosis surgery. While the procedure initially went well, over time she began leaning forward more and more, eventually losing the ability to stand upright. A piece of hardware — a screw — had migrated close to her skin due to changes in her spine, creating a pronounced hump on her back. Her lower vertebrae had also shifted into an inverted position, making walking and running increasingly difficult.
Her muscles — from her glutes and quads to her paraspinals — have been working overtime just to keep her upright for a few seconds at a time, often causing pain. Recently, she’s had to rely on wheelchair transportation, though she still plays basketball in her chair. A fall caused by her foot giving out left her with a visible bruise — another reminder of how much her condition has affected her daily life.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
Hannah’s journey led her to Dr. Bassel Diebo at University Orthopedics, a spine surgeon known for his technical skill and deep empathy for his patients — especially those with special needs. Hannah’s mother did her research, reading extensively about Dr. Diebo’s background and expertise before deciding he was the right fit.
As Dr. Diebo explains, working with special needs patients requires more than medical knowledge. It’s about trust, connection, and respect. “If you connect with a special needs person, just know they have already vetted your emotions, your bedside manner — everything,” he says. “Otherwise, they will shy away from you.”
For Hannah’s family, Dr. Diebo’s approach stood out. He met Hannah at her level — literally — speaking to her face-to-face, not from above. He even used her Barbie doll to explain the surgery, showing her how he planned to straighten her spine.
The Surgery Ahead
The decision to move forward with surgery wasn’t taken lightly. Hannah’s condition affects multiple vital organs, and Dr. Diebo has worked closely with her entire care team to ensure every aspect of her health is considered. But this is also the period in her life when she’s been most medically stable, making it the right time to address her spinal issues.
Most importantly, Hannah herself made the decision. After 10 long years of waiting, she’s ready — and excited — to stand tall again.
Looking Forward
For Hannah, this surgery represents more than just physical change. It’s the chance to reclaim her mobility, her independence, and her ability to do what she loves most — whether that’s dancing, playing sports, or celebrating her next birthday with a little extra magic.
Her story is a reminder that medical care is not just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about listening, connecting, and empowering patients to take the next step in their journey — in Hannah’s case, quite literally.
About Dr. Diebo
Dr. Bassel Diebo treats all spine disorders and scoliosis conditions across adolescence and adulthood, including degenerative spinal conditions (stenosis and spondylolisthesis), and spinal curvatures such as scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis. His areas of focus are complex and revision spinal reconstruction, flatback syndrome, adolescent and adult scoliosis, Hip-Spine Syndrome, full-body, three-dimensional alignment and posture.