Scoliosis Warrior Stories
Grace has been a congenital scoliosis fighter for her whole life. She began with wearing torso casts and braces until she was 6, which was when she had her first surgery with growing rods. After an injury at 8, she needed emergency surgery to replace the old rods and put new ones in, which was when started to feel constant chronic pain. 2 years later, she had her first spinal fusion with permanent rods. Despite another surgery after the first one failed, she is still positive and hopes to inspire others and tell them that they are not alone. Click here to learn more about her story.
Bence was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumour when he was 15 years old after experiencing back pain. His spine's curve deteriorated at a fast rate, so he had 2 surgeries at 15 and 19 years old. After both surgeries, he had to learn how to walk again and often worried if he could continue doing things he used to be able to. This started affecting his mental health, and he eventually sought help from a psychologist. Due to his tumour, he is unable to have a spinal fusion, so he is attempting to correct his scoliosis via physiotherapy and weight training, and he is now attending university with a dream to become a composer. Click here to support Bence!
Channing Payne is a freshman that was diagnosed when she was 7 years old with a top and bottom curve of 60° thoracic and 50° lumbar. When she was 8, she got her first brace, which was uncomfortable and very embarrassing. She described it as difficult to breathe even when she was just going upstairs. Ever since she was diagnosed, she has struggled with self-confidence, due to the fact that she was constantly in pain and constantly getting made fun of. Last summer, after several years of being prescribed a brace, Channing got a spinal fusion. Life is getting better for Channing 1 year post-operation, and she is even playing field hockey in her school's varsity team. Sports is helping her focus on the positive things in life. Click here to learn more about her and her story!
Hinano Smith is our vice-president and she lives in Hiroshima, Japan. She was 13 years old when she was diagnosed with scoliosis, and had a spinal fusion the following year due to the severe curve. Although she experienced physical pain and anxiety post-surgery that made school tiring, now she feels proud of her spine and she is looking for ways to speak about it to others. She even found ways to manage her pain after surgery, such as doing other activities to shift her focus and doing stretches at home to help her move around. Click here to learn more about her!
Yashira Rodriguez is 39 years old and she is from Puerto Rico. At 11 years old, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, with her curves ranging from 34 to 36 degrees. Despite Boston brace treatment of 2 years prescribed 20-24 hours a day, her curves remained the same. Nevertheless, she still lived a completely normal life as a dancer and did not experience any discomfort. When she turned 33, she began experiencing discomfort from her condition, and found that her curves had doubled. Chiropractic treatment did not help, as her curves were nearly 70 degrees, so she pursued treatment at a spinal correction clinic in the United States, where she underwent an intensive treatment. She returned home with a 12 degree reduction in her curve and continued to use Scolibrace for 2 years. Her story is evidence that with effort and physiotherapy, severe curves can also be reduced! Click here to learn more details about her treatment.