A shaman could hardly have done worse, but no one knew any better back then. As scoliosis progressed, the consensus was I'd never survive surgery. At that time, they were probably right. Today, fusions are successfully performed on preschoolers. SMA tots are given power chairs, put in standing tables, and provided with nutritional therapy.
Preventive measures is the operative term.
We were treated like hospice patients. It's a wonder any of us survived at all. Kids today have a chance, they have a future. For decades, I lived like there was no tomorrow. In retrospect, that was a mixed blessing.