My spine is curvy, let's talk about it !

Target Audience

This event is primarily aimed at parents, families and caregivers of children with scoliosis (idiopathic, neuromuscular, syndromic, congenital or early-onset) and who wish to learn more about the subject. Professionals are also welcome to attend if they wish to learn more about the resources available and issues faced by the families they work with.

Thanks to the collaboration of the teams of four Montreal pediatric centers, namely, the CHU Sainte-Justine, the Marie Enfant Rehabilitation Centre, the Montreal Children's Hospital and the Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada, this event will once again bring together families, professionals, organizations and partners to discuss a unifying theme.

On the program

A mix of lectures, panels and testimonials related to scoliosis, such as the different types of scoliosis, surgical and non-surgical treatments, the impact of scoliosis and resources available to families.

Topics to be covered include: Screening, types of scoliosis and their causes, typical progression, different therapeutic approaches, traditional treatments, alternative treatments, surgery, physiotherapy, self-image and self-esteem, adaptations, resources and quality of life.

This event will unfold in 3 blocks:

• Medical and rehabilitation section

• Multidisciplinary panels and discussions

• Psychosocial section

The preliminary program of the event is available under the "Program" tab.

Format

• In person at the CHU Sainte-Justine on March 29, 2025

• Virtually on March 29, 2025

• Simultaneous translation will be available for all presentations (French and English)

For people on site at the CHU Sainte-Justine

• Childcare available for children - registration required by March 17^th, 2025

• Breakfast, snacks and lunch included

Registration

Registration is free, but mandatory. Register online by clicking on the ''Registration'' tab.

Registration deadline: March 25th, 2025

Organizing Committee

• Catherine Boucher, Assistant Head of School-Based Rehabilitation, School-Based Rehabilitation Program (PRMS), Marie Enfant Rehabilitation Center

• Gloria Thevasagayam, Physiotherapist, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Canada

• Hélène Lefebvre, Complex care nurse, Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants

• Dr. Jean Ouellet, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Canada

• Josée Valcourt, Patient-Resource, MUSCO

• Julie Joncas, Orthopedic research nurse, CHU Sainte-Justine

• Katharina Bourgin, Project and Communications Manager, MUSCO

• Laine Roczniak, Clinical coordinator and physiotherapist, MNM program, Marie Enfant Rehabilitation Center

• Marie-Josée Beaulieu, Nurse Practitioner, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Canada

• Mélanie Sarda, Physiotherapist, CHU Sainte-Justine

• Dr. Stefan Parent, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, CHU Sainte-Justine

• Stephanie Gould, Inter-establishment Navigator, MUSCO

About MUSCO

MUSCO  is an initiative led by four major pediatric centers in Montreal: CHU Sainte-Justine, Marie Enfant rehabilitation center, Montreal Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada. It aims to foster collaboration to optimize care and services for children with neuromusculoskeletal disorders requiring complex care, through the development of various projects such as this event organized for families.