Fighting Scoliosis

When I was twelve years old, I discovered I had idiopathic scoliosis. The x-Rays showed that I had an S shaped spine. The largest curve was fifty degrees; the smallest was thirty-five. For two years, I went to a chiropractor near my home town three times a week for two hours each day. Before the two years were up, my chiropractor told my mother that I improved, yet I was in more agony than ever before. During the fall of 2012, I began to get singled out at school. Other kids found enjoyment teasing me in front of classmates and even once at a football game. Once, two girls -who I believed were my friends- made fun of me and made comments such as "Ewe" and "What is that?" After being hazed various times, I began to wear baggy clothes and seclude myself from the world. I became self-conscious, discontent, closed off and silent; I was utterly depressed. After a few weeks, my mother and I went back to the chiropractor and received my x-Rays. My biggest curve -which was once fifty-three degrees- was now eighty-two; the lower curve currently fifty-three. When I turned fourteen in 2013, I decided to have a spinal fusion at Children's Hospital of New Orleans where it took six weeks to return to school and six months to return what I loved most: dancing. I woke up after the surgery a new person. My curve went from 85 degrees to a 23 degrees! I am currently sixteen years old, have two rods and nineteen screws in my back, and am still dancing with my dance team every Friday night. My experience with scoliosis has led me to want to help others that are going through the same experience I have and help them through their tough times. Although I thought it bad at first, If I would not have acquired this disorder, I would not be the strong, autonomous person I am today.

Submitted by Anonymous

Overcoming