Hi! My name is Morgan. I am 13 years old, and I wear a Boston Brace. My mom noticed the curve in May 2008. Then, when I got a physical for school, my mom asked the pediatrician to look at my back. She, too, noticed a slight curve.

An appointment was then set up for me to meet Dr. Rowe, an orthopaedic surgeon, and to get an x-ray. It was then decided I had scoliosis. My parents took me to Chicago to see a Child Specialist, who also agreed that I have scoliosis. (The curves were measured at about 20 and 22 degrees.)

After a few more x-rays and appointments (in which each curve increased to 27 and 30), I was set up to get fit for the brace. At that appointment, he just measured me, and showed me some pictures of what it might look like. About two weeks later, I had another appointment to pick up the brace. He made marks to show where to have the straps set, and he gave me a pamphlet which held the bracing schedule.

Each day it increased by a little. Those first few days were rough. While the first night sleeping in it is uncomfortable, eventually it will break in and become a part of who you are. (By the way I got the brace in November of 2008).

A few weeks later, I got another x-ray in the brace to see if it worked. The curves were around 11 and 17 degrees! Later that year in June, I had another x-ray. I am scheduled to get one every 6 months. In December I had another x-ray, also out of the brace, with the curves measuring around 20-25 degrees. And while it may seem like the curves increased, each time you get an x-ray is different. The angle at which you stand, face the wall, or even the way have your feet set can change the angle. This is important to remember before you freak out that your curves have increased too much.

For girls, the approximate time with the brace can last 2-3 years after menstruation. Although it may seem like a long time, eventually you begin to rely on the brace. During that one hour out of the brace, at first it seems like the hour you are waiting for. But slowly, you don't depend on that hour as much. Even if it seems like you need to take it off at first, sometimes I even regret taking it off later. You don't realize how much you need the brace until it's gone.

So don't fear the brace, embrace it.

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