I found out that I had Scoliosis 2 years ago.  I was12 years old.  I am now 14 years old.  Everything was fine up until October 2000.  The doctor told me that my degree went up by a big amount in just 2 months.  I didn't think that anything would be done about it, but i was wrong.  My doctor told me that I would have to get a brace.  I thought that I was the only one in the world that was going through this.  I recieved my brace 2 weeks later and I don't think there was one day I wouldn't be crying.  I would cry because of the pain and because I didn't understand why this was happening to me.  When I went to the guidence office at school for some help on how to deal with it, they were just awsome to me.  They check up on me every week, just to make sure that I am doing ok.  I'm still wearing the brace, and it is very uncomfortable, but I guess it's just for the best of things.  I am just worried about the summer.  It might be a lil uncomfortable.  My family, friends, and my boyfriend have been there for me throughout everything.  I have lost a friend to me wearing the brace, but I guess that the person wasn't a good friend.  I still have trouoble dealing with the fact that I can't do gym, or go swimming or anything like that, but it will be back to normal soon.  Wearing a brace 23 hours a day isn't what i dreamed of, or what I wanted, but now that I think of it, I'm a bit glad that I have a brace.  I've learnt to love myself and to know that brace or no brace, I'm still a human being.

Congratulations to all of those researching sites that support the emotional and physical challenges envolved with scoliosis!  Atage 14, I underwent an anterior-posterior spinal fusion from T-11 to L-4.  I continued to play sports such as basketball, track, volleyball, and even boxing!  While this is to encourage those that there is life after surgery, I hope it also serves as a red flag.  Now, nearly 9 years later, I was diagnosed with Flatback Syndrome and am considering a very major and complicated surgery.  I also have a disc that is completely degenerated just below the fusion.  My B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science has helped me understand the importance of listening to your body and accepting that those of us with scoliosis are unique and prone to degenerative disc disease.  While staying fit helps tremendously, keep your spine happy by treating it to low- impact activities (which can be very challenging if you want them to be) such as swimming, walking, and cycling. In my journey I would like to stress the following: 1) Surgery should always be the last option- conservative methods work and are better! 2) If surgery is needed- research! research! research!  (Before my first surgery, three doctors measured my curve wrong and wanted to fuse my entire spine!) 3)  Positive attitude is everything.  Positive attitudes and positive visulization have even been thought to cure some patients from cancer!  I know its hard to do at times, but I have realized through sites such as this one that there are many people in the same boat who understand.  There really is much more to "Healthy mind, Healthy body" than one would think!

Hi,my name is Brenda, Mom of Katie 9.We found out at age 3 katie has congenital scoliosis,The first check-up she had, was very scarey.They told us she would need surgery,and have to wear a halo for three months! About 50 doctors got together and decided to hold off and watch her close.That was five years ago.They said it was rare to have this in your neck.She can never dive,or do any thing that can put a blow to her head.She is doing pee-wee cheerleading now, but can't be the one on top. You can't tell she has it ,unless you look close with her hair up.The Dr. told me they will worry most when she turns Ten,eleven or during her growth spurt..I hope she does not need surgery.I was wondering if the check-ups change when she gets older? She was a little shy last time.Katie wants a e-mail friend so bad .Please e-mail me and i will forward it to her. Thanks! Brenmask@aol.com

Hi , my name is Linne and I have a daughter who has scoliosis, She has the one that is shaped in the 's' shape, were first discovered it when she was 15 years old, She had to have Herrington Rods put in, I thought I was going to die, The pain that she went throw just tore out my heart, she ended up with an infection in her incesion and was sick for quite awhile, She did heal, but alwasy complained of back pain, we took her to physiotherapy and that did not help much either, So for the past 5 years her pain has intesified, She went to see a specialist who x-rayed her only to say that 'her screws ahve come loose' really no pun intented on her rods, so she now has to get them removed, She is just terrified and hopefuly this will help with her pain, but I do have a question when she gets them out will her back start going back to the way it was? If anyone has had this surgery plese could you e-mail me and let me know  my address is  mendingangel@hotmail.com    thank you very much   Linne