When I was in sixth grade I found out that I have scoliosis or in other words, I have a curved spine. I went to the doctor to get a regular physical and my pediatrician told me she was going to feel my spine to check for curves. She said it was procedure and they do it for all girls and boys when they get to be around the age of eleven of twelve because if you have a curved spine that’s when it usually will start to curve even more because of puberty. However, she reassured me that a lot of times it is hereditary and since my parents and grandparents didn’t have it, I thought for sure I wouldn’t. “Oh, okay. No big deal. What are the chances? She’ll feel my spine and I’ll be on my way”, that’s what I thought to myself as she checked my back. I was completely calm until I could sense the uncertainty in her voice. She told me that my spine felt curved and I would need to go to an orthopedic doctor to get an x-ray. She told me about the possibilities of a back brace or even surgery depending on how bad it was. I felt like I was going to puke. How was I supposed to wear a back brace during my middle school years?
Long story short, we received an X-ray and sure enough, it was curved. I luckily did not need surgery at that point, but I was told if the back brace didn’t work, then I would need surgery. Shortly after that, I had to go to a different location to get fitted for my brace. I had to lay down on this weird and unusual table while the wrapped my entire torso with gauze and then plaster. They literally had to make a mold of my torso from my sternum to my hips.
When I received the brace, I was so confused. I was supposed to wear a plastic shell that was going to wrap around my torso for twenty-one hours a day? It was definitely an adjustment. I had to get used to not moving my torso freely, I had to find pants that would come up to my belly button because they couldn’t fit around the plastic on my hips, I never wore jeans, I had rashes from the brace rubbing on my skin that wasn’t covered by my undershirt, I went to the doctor every six months to get an x-ray and don’t even get me started on trying to sleep. So no, this wasn’t an easy adjustment. It was hard, however, I did eventually get used to it. I had to wear it until I stopped growing. I wore my twenty-one hour brace from sixth grade to freshman year of high school. I then switched to an eight hour brace that I wore for bed from freshman year to sophomore year, and then eventually got it off for good. That was an adjustment as well because my back muscles had to adjust to not having constant support, which caused my back to hurt a lot. But there were a few perks to wearing the brace. I stayed in shape because it restricted me from overeating because I had a limited amount of room for my stomach to expand while wearing the brace and if anyone ever tried to punch me in the stomach, they would probably break their hand (no one ever did, but I was prepared), and… well… that’s pretty much it (lol just kidding). I realize how lucky I was because it could have been worse. I could have had to get the surgery, or I could have been diagnosed with something so much more serious. I was very lucky in the grand scheme of things.
I also realize the unconditional love and support I have in my life. My orthopedic doctor was absolutely amazing and never failed to tell me how good of a job I was doing. The man who made my back braces was incredible and always lightened the mood with a joke or simply by talking to me about my day. My parents put up with all the crying and endless days of telling them I didn’t want to wear it. My dad even gave up meat because he told me since I was going through a struggle he was going to go through one with me as well. My family and friends always gave me words of encouragement and a family friend that was a priest gave me a bible passage to say every night with my dad for healing. I received so many prayers from people that really helped me get through it all. So no, it wasn’t easy, especially in middle school and then transitioning to high school. But I am so glad I have it because it has taught me about self-discipline. It took a lot in me to continue wearing the brace and to wear it for the appropriate amount of time each day. I wouldn’t have learned what I know now about the people in my life, and myself. I may have been wrapped in plastic for four years, but I learned because of the people in my life that I am wrapped in God’s love forever and always.
