The Straight Paths Foundation is a fund of the Worldwide Foundation which is the 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your donations to the fund are tax deductible. The Straight Paths Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funds towards surgeries for scoliosis patients. We invite everyone countrywide to participate with us as we strive to support one another, lend a helping hand, and promote a better life for scoliosis patients.

The organization began after Brooke Shippey, patient of Dr. Antonacci, underwent surgery for her severe spinal curvature. As Brooke recovered from surgery, the support and love she received from her close friends and family was something she wanted every scoliosis patient to feel. Since then it has become our mission to bring support and love to each and every child that suffers from scoliosis. These children face difficulties that are hard to comprehend, but with your support, we can inform, inspire, and improve the quality of life for patients with scoliosis.

With your support, we can help adolescents view life from a new perspective, gain the confidence they deserve, and reach their full potential as they grow and become extraordinary examples to their friends, family, classmates, neighbors, and more.

The Founder

When most girls are excited about new fashion trends and shopping in the junior section for clothes, there are a group of girls that struggle with body image and confidence due to Scoliosis. For Brooke Shippey, it was during middle school when she received her Idiopathic Scoliosis diagnosis. Braced in a hard body shell for 23 hours per day, she had to learn to dress in a way that made her feel unique and confident. Whether it was extensive physical therapy exercises or hours in doctors offices, she learned at a young age to battle through and find joy even when it was difficult.

Brooke Shippey is a young adult scoliosis survivor residing in the state of Michigan. Being diagnosed in middle school and having to undergo numerous treatments such as a full night and day time brace and therapy treatments, Brooke understands the physical, emotional, and mental effect of this disorder. Brooke underwent a six hour surgery, one collapsed lung, one chest tube, dislocated ribs, fourteen screws attached to her vertebrates, and two flexible cords that corrected the curvature of her spine.

Not only does she want to educate, she also wants to show other girls that life does not have to stop with Scoliosis. She says, “When given a difficult situation like Scoliosis you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you. These hardships, trials, set backs, and painful experiences in life are what we can use to step further into learning just how strong we really are.” Brooke is encouraging young boys and girls like herself to take pride in their body whether wearing a brace, carrying a scar, or living with a rib deformity.

How Can I Help?

You can help us, and more importantly, these children, by doing a few, simple things. First, you can donate money that will be put towards a child's surgery. Each and every penny is helpful as we strive to bring awareness to our community. Second, you can share this page to help raise awareness and let your friends and family know that we are here, ready, and willing to help. With our resources, families and children with Scoliosis can learn more about treatments, causes, and more.

Third, you can support The Straight Paths Foundation. Donating to The Straight Paths Foundation does not mean you must donate hours of your time and resources. By donating, you show your support and love for children in the US who are struggling with Scoliosis. These children, along with their families, will be forever grateful as we work together to create a better environment throughout the US.

We Care...

The Straight Paths Foundation cares. This organization was created by young adult, Brooke Shippey, who understands firsthand the difficulties that comes along with having Scoliosis. After numerous treatments, doctors visits, and an invasive surgery, she wanted to develop an organization that truly cared for each individual with Scoliosis. We care about seeing each beautiful child grow to become a strong, dedicated member of our society. We care about helping others, and allowing others to reach their full potential. We care about the voices throughout the country, reaching out and crying for your support. We care about finding resources and new technologies that will help patients with scoliosis. We care about the individuals who want to help but don't know how, and strive to make it easy and worthwhile for you to join us in our cause. At The Straight Paths Foundation, we care about you.