I was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11, completely unaware of how much my life would change from that moment.
Soon after diagnosis, I was sent to Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. The doctors soon discovered that my case of scoliosis was quite progressive, leading to me getting fitted for a brace.
Like many young people with scoliosis, I had to wear my brace to school. More specifically, middle school. That was such an awkward time as is, adding scoliosis on top of that was quite uncomfortable.
I tried bracing for a couple of years until it came down to the decision that I needed surgery to correct my spine.
At the age of 14, I had 2 rods and 19 screws placed in my spine to correct my 50-degree curve. This was the most painful and traumatic experience of my life, however the most impactful.
To this day I still have pain surrounding my scoliosis. However, I have found that yoga, exercise in general, and massage therapy have helped manage that pain!
I look at my experience with scoliosis as a given purpose in my life. I am the current Miss Tri-Cities, a part of the Miss America Scholarship Organization. With that title, I can fundraise for Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Spokane (where I had my surgery), and for the Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation.
I am excited to become an ambassador for this program to further my scoliosis awareness advocacy and to help fund important research to help kids like me.
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