Being diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis when you’re 12 years old is a whirlwind. At this age, I was so overwhelmed with all the changes my body was undergoing already, and now scoliosis was added to the list. The multiple appointments quickly changed to X-rays every 3 months, which ended up showing a curve of about 26 degrees. Every six months I came back to my orthopedist to evaluate how much my curve progressed. When they saw the speed at which my curve was progressing, I was put in a Boston brace to wear at night. This evolved into a Wilmington brace a year later, but this time I had to wear it 18 hours a day. These methods to stop my curvature proved ineffective when my curve jumped 20 degrees in a single year, despite my hours upon hours of bracing. Now at 51 degrees, I was faced with the looming reality: spinal fusion surgery.
My surgery was scheduled right before beginning my high school career. I was nervous for the 6 months leading up to it, frantically searching for girls my age who had shared their experiences online. While I was anxious, I was also so excited to start a new era of not wearing a brace! Living in Florida made it so hot and sweaty wearing that thing, I hated it. The summer before 9th grade I spent recovering was tough, but with the support of my parents and friends, I recovered seamlessly.



Something I didn’t expect to face along the way was mental struggles. While I concentrated on prioritizing my physical recovery, I didn’t notice my mental recovery was just as important. Spending time with loved ones helped me, as they were my support system on the road to full recovery. I founded a social club called “Minds Matter” at my school after realizing that overcoming these kinds of things is something so many high schoolers go through. Making this club helped me tremendously on my mental journey to accepting that I had gone through a life altering surgery – a surgery that essentially shaped who I am and will be forever.
Today, at around three years post-op, I am 100% back to normal! I am thankful beyond words for my amazing doctors who successfully operated on my scoliosis. I’m now able to do whatever I set my mind to, with no limits. And of course, finding Setting Scoliosis Straight has shown me the immense amount of people who have gone through scoliosis, including such inspiring stories that I hope to be to whoever is reading this:)
Any time someone spots my scar, I can’t help but to flaunt it. I am so proud to share how strong I am, maintaining my active and bubbly personality even after my spinal fusion surgery! I’ll never get sick of spreading awareness with my scar, along with shedding light to the condition’s severity to one’s physical and mental state. My metal screws and rods are now a key part of me. Parts I never knew I needed. Parts that remind me of the battle I won against scoliosis.



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