Hi, my name is Hannah. My journey with scoliosis began when I was 11 years old and in the fifth grade. The school nurse called the girls down for a check for scoliosis, and I had no idea what scoliosis even was, or that I would be the only person in my grade diagnosed with it. She had us bend down so she could check us and when I got home from school that night, my mom told my dad and I that the nurse called and said i have scoliosis.

So my mom had me bend down and she could tell right away. After a few months I had an appointment with my pediatrition, Dr. Blomenberg and he referred me to a doctor in Omaha, who specializes in scoliosis.

I went to Omaha for my first check-up in July of 2003 and I found out I would need a back brace. I had no idea what it would be like, how it would affect me,and in the end, make me a stronger person. That same day in July my scoliosis doctor, Dr. Scherl, had us go to a different place to have me fit for my brace.

After I was fitted they told me it would take a couple weeks to make my brace. So we came back in August and i got my Boston back brace. It was really hard and painful for me to wear but I had to wear it all the time so I could get used it. The only times i took it off were to shower and when I would have dance four times a week. I'm really glad having a back brace didn't keep me out of dance or any other sports because I love to dance and do those kinds of things.

Now I'm 14,in the 8th grade, and still wearing my brace...not quite as much though haha. In the past three years i've gone through 2 other braces and I'm now on my third one and last one hopefully. I go to Omaha for checkups with Dr. Scherl every four months and I should be able to start to just sleeping in my back brace this June 2006.

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