Hi everyone, I'm Mia P., and I want to share my story with you.

It all started when I was 8 years old. My mom noticed that one of my shoulders looked a bit higher than the other. She took me to see the orthopedist, and that's when we found out I had scoliosis.

I remember feeling scared and confused at first. I didn't really understand what scoliosis was or what it meant for me. The doctor took some X-rays, and we learned that I had a 12-degree curvature in my spine. At that time, they just wanted to keep an eye on it, so we waited for 6 months before going back for another check-up.

When we went back, things had taken a turn for the worse. My curvature had more than doubled, and the doctor told me I would need to wear a Boston scoliosis brace for 14-16 hours a day until I stopped growing.

I was devastated.

I loved dancing and doing gymnastics, and I thought I would have to give it all up because of the brace.

At first, I didn't like wearing the brace. It felt weird and restrictive, especially when I was trying to sleep or sit down. But I knew I had to do it if I wanted to keep my spine healthy. My parents bought me a special mattress topper and pillows to help make sleeping more comfortable, and I wear special brace undershirts to avoid getting rashes. I slowly worked my way up to wearing the brace for 14-16 hours a day, and most days, I am able to meet my goal. 

Believe it or not, I've grown to like my brace. It's like a snug hug that keeps my back from hurting.  It's still uncomfortable sometimes, but I know it's helping me in the long run. I outgrew my first brace in less than a year, so now I'm on my second brace. I like decorating my brace with stickers to make it my own. And guess what? It's pink! But you can get them in all sorts of cool colors and patterns.

At my last check-up, we got some good news. My curvature has actually lessened, which means that the bracing has been working. If I keep this up, I might not need surgery in the future. That's a huge relief!

 So that's my story so far. Living with scoliosis hasn't been as bad as I originally thought it would be. I've adapted and have figured out how to manage my brace around my activities.   

Word of advice for kids who have to wear a scoliosis brace:

I know wearing a brace might feel weird and tough at first, but trust me, you've got this! Remember, it's all about taking it one day at a time. Find ways to make the brace feel more comfortable, like adding stickers or wearing cozy undershirts. And don't forget, you're not alone—there are lots of other kids out there rocking their braces too. Keep your head up, stay positive, and know that you're stronger than you think. You're a Scoliosis Warrior and you've got a whole team cheering you on! 

Thanks for reading my story guys!