It all began in 7th grade, when the school ran through with it's every other year scoliosis screening. At that point, I didn't know what scoliosis was. However, as each girl went up, (I was third in line), it was me who ended up staying behind the longest.

Doctor's appointments went on for months, I soon adopted a brace. However, I only had to wear the brace for about one year, from the end of my 7th grade year to the end of my 8th grade year, when it was deterined that a brace would be no help to the curvature of my back at all. The brace was a lot like a corset, and bending down to pick up items became difficult, as also people would notice something strange sticking out of your back.

At the end of my 9th grade year, I got my scoliosis operation. At that point, I had an S shaped curve that measured about 65 degrees. The surgery itself is about 3 to 4 hours and you are allowed to have a morphine pump afterwards for your pain. Somehow, I thought that surgery would be a lot more difficult and harder, but it really wasn't. After a quick recovery, I am now able to do almost anything.

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