Marta Miller: A Source of Inspiration On and Off the Ice
At 16 years old, Marta Miller has accomplished more than the average teenager. Competitive ice dancer, member of U.S. Figure Skating, musical theater performer and philanthropist describe just some of her many talents. A grateful patient and Junior Ambassador for Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Marta has raised more than $50,000 for the Children's Spine Center.
Marta is also an exceptional student. Homeschooled, she is a recent high school graduate with 28 undergraduate college credits already completed. Her plan is to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater and a master's degree in theater. But first, she's taking a gap year to focus on skating, acting and—like a typical 16-year-old—getting her driver's license.
Throughout Marta's childhood, during the long car rides with her mom, Corrina, from their home in Studio City to ice rinks in Las Vegas and across Southern California, they had lots of time to discuss Marta's goals.
"We are very grateful and lucky that we have had the time together," Corrina says. "I've been a conduit to get Marta places and give her the freedom to be able to grow. But really, what she's doing in her schoolwork, acting and skating—it's all her."
'Stand tall, be strong, dream big'
Marta started figure skating in 2014 at age 7. By the time Marta was 10, her mom began to wonder if her daughter might have scoliosis.
"We were working on her posture in skating because she seemed to lean to the left slightly," Corrina says. "When we put a posture brace on her, it would become lopsided. It was funny because it kept sliding to one side. Marta was really small and it was hard to find a brace that fit."
As a next step, Corrina took Marta to a chiropractor, who fit her with a flexible brace that she wore 16 hours a day for almost two years. Fortunately, Marta could skate without pain, and she continued to advance as an athlete. Then in 2018, she landed a jump and bruised her left hip flexor.
"I couldn't do jumps or any other skating moves because it caused severe pain," says Marta. "I couldn't even lift my leg."
Marta's pediatrician recommended they go to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she was officially diagnosed with scoliosis and began seeing a team of specialists in the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center. Marta's treatment plan, which included regular checkups to monitor the curvature of her spine, was customized with data gathered in the John C. Wilson Jr. Motion and Sports Analysis Lab.
By 2020, Marta's hip injury had healed and she was back on the ice, but her spine curve had increased dramatically. While awaiting the results of three MRis, Marta and her family established the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation, with the goal of raising awareness about scoliosis and supporting young athletes struggling with the physical and mental challenges of living with scoliosis. The foundation's motto: Stand Tall, Be Strong, Dream Big.
"There was about a week where we really didn't know if Marta could continue skating and I was trying to keep her feeling positive," says Corrina. "That's why we came up with the concept of creating the foundation—maybe we could do something that will give back and encourage others."
Based on the MRIs, Marta learned that one of her legs was shorter than the other. But there was nothing to suggest that ice skating was making her scoliosis worse. She was encouraged to stay as athletic as possible and focus on strengthening her back.
When she started skating again, Marta chose to switch from ice skating to ice dancing. Although ice dancing is very strenuous and requires a lot of strength, there is an important difference: no jumps. This means less impact and risk of injury from hard landings.
"At her most recent checkup, Marta continued to do beautifully from a clinical perspective and her curve has been stable without requiring any surgical intervention," says Lindsay Andras, MD, Vice Chief, Division of Orthopedic Surgery. "She'll continue getting annual checkups while pursuing her dream to compete for a national ice dancing title."
Inspiring others to join her cause
In 2019, Marta joined the Junior Ambassadors program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and began fundraising for the hospital. She has raised money through toy drives, a virtual 5K run and other activities through the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation. She has also spoken at several fundraising events on behalf of CHLA about her experience as a patient and Junior Ambassador.
"From the first time I visited CHLA, I felt at home," says Marta. "Everyone there is so positive. After I did the motion study, my mom took a photo of me next to a sign in the lobby that said, 'We Got This,' and that is how the doctors and nurses made me feel. I was going to be OK and be able to accomplish whatever it was I wanted to accomplish because 'I got this' too."
In April 2023, Marta hosted the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation's 5th annual fundraiser for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Held at East West Ice Place in Artesia, California, home of world-champion figure skater Michelle Kwan, the ice skating exhibition featured 24 performances by some of U.S. Figure Skating's biggest names and raised an astounding $30,000.
"What was so fun about the event was how many people from the skating community came together and wanted to be part of it," Corrina says. "They were so happy to be able to do something for Children's Hospital."
Looking ahead, Marta is already thinking about hosting the next exhibition in 2024. That year will mark her 10th year skating and sixth year supporting CHLA.
"My friends and family are asking me if I'll do it again," she says. "I think next year's fundraiser will be even bigger and better."
At CHLA, the team members who know Marta are impressed with her dedication to helping others—and grateful for her support.
"All of us in the Autry Orthopedic Center are so inspired by Marta and her successful efforts to raise awareness about scoliosis," says Dr. Andras, who also serves as Director of the Children's Spine Center in the Autry Orthopedic Center at CHLA. "I know that the diagnosis of scoliosis can seem daunting for children, teens and their families. Our team's goal is to help families rise above that. To see Marta not only soar on a personal level but have the strength, wisdom and insight to help others impacted by scoliosis is incredible. I am so proud of her and impressed by what she has accomplished."
