My name is Diana Kayla Hochberg, born during the Baby Scoop era. In 1965, while on a back-to-school shopping trip, my father noticed that I wasn’t standing straight and became deeply concerned. This observation led to a consultation with a pediatrician, who then referred us to a specialist in New York City. After undergoing several tests, I was diagnosed with Levoconvex Scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in East Harlem.
Dr. Jacob Graham, an orthopedic M.D., recommended a Milwaukee back brace to manage my worsening condition. This period was particularly challenging as my mother was battling cancer, leaving my father as my sole caregiver. During this time, I inadvertently overheard a conversation between Dr. Graham and my father. Unaware of my presence, Dr. Graham predicted a grim future: “She probably won’t be able to have children and might be in a wheelchair by the time she’s forty.” That statement ignited a fire within me, fueling my determination to prove him wrong.
I wore the Milwaukee brace for three and a half years and missed out on so much as a teenager.
Today, I am the proud mother of a son and a stepdaughter, not wheelchair-bound, and I continue to confront my condition head-on. For years, I have used social media to promote encouraging messages for those with scoliosis, empowering others with my mantra: “Never give up!” Despite some weeks being nearly unbearable, my resolve never wanes. I am committed to overcoming a battle that many may not understand.
In recent years, my scoliosis has worsened. I have since found Dr. Jason C. Rosenberg, M.D., a board-certified doctor by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Neurology and Pain Medicine. He is a pain and spine specialist who understands the complexities of my condition. Dr. Rosenberg has been exploring Non-Opioid Treatment Options to manage my pain, offering hope and new possibilities for my continued fight against scoliosis.
Scoliosis affects more than just the spine—it can lead to head, neck, and back pain, and difficulty walking. There are numerous misconceptions about this condition, and I am dedicated to dispelling them. My journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of challenging prognoses with hope and tenacity.
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