Hi! So glad I found this group. I have been through two surgeries and am fused T2-L4. I currently work as a park ranger but am at 33 looking in to new careers due to extreme pain at times. Love working outdoors but my back says otherwise after being upright all day.
๐ Iโm Baily and I am so excited to have found this community!
I had a T1-L3 fusion 18 years ago at 21 after being diagnosed around 10. Bracing was never considered because at the time I was dealing with a severe ED. Post op I was dealing with a lot of pain from the hardware and had very little medical support. My then boyfriend (now husband) suggested that strengthening my core would take a bit of a load off my back and help me move with less pain. As someone whoโd never been a fan of physical movement I reluctantly tried it out.
Now I mange to move my body daily in ways Iโd never though possible - reformer twice a week and Pilates and strength building 3-4 times.
My biggest hang up is still my scars - on top of the regular surgical scarring I have marks fromโฆ
Beautiful story! I definitely understand the highs and the lows. You got this!โญ๏ธ
Hi everyone! So cool to see a community for scoliosis. I was diagnosed at around 6 or 7 years old I believe and had a full spinal fusion at 12. Iโm currently training to run my first marathon and have been practicing yoga for about a year. When I first started, it really hit me how I canโt do all of the poses like others could, but I donโt let that stop me from enjoying my practice.
Iโm so excited to see a community for people like me. I just want to remind you all that you are so strong.
Faith
24, Chicago
Hi Faith! Wow, I just love hearing stories of scoli warriors who continue to find joy in the things they love, even when they have to modify for their curves. You're exactly right, we are so strong! I'm so thrilled to hear of another fused marathoner, I have SO much respect for your dedication. If you don't know her already, you should check out @runner_natty_lynn on IG. She's a fellow fused runner!
I would love to hear more about how your training is going, when is race day?! ๐
Hey everyone, I'm Jaime. I'm 48 and have been on the scoliosis and spine saga journey since age 12 - Boston brace, childhood fusions at 13 and 14, and most recently a lumbar fusion this January with revision in July. I'm in Washington State, and I'm really glad to be here with people who understand what it's like to live with this much hardware.
If you havenโt already, check out our events page and register for the virtual event in December so we can connect more โบ๏ธ๐
Hi everyone!
I live in Northern California, and I got diagnosed with Scoliosis 3 years ago. I have mild-ish (I got an X-ray 3 years ago which showed mild scoliosis, but I believe it progressed in the last few years...). I am a current high school student, and not many people actually know that I have Scoliosis mostly due to the stigma around it that "bad posture causes scoliosis", but I started to incorporate life with scoliosis into my instagram account (@hs_kaur.md_dreams), to bring awareness to it and stop hiding a part of myself! ๐
Hi Kaur! I'm SO glad you've joined our space here at The Bionic Project, it's amazing to read your story, and I'm happt to hear that you're already fighting the stigma at such a young age, keep up the good work :) Are you doing any physical therapy or treatments for your curve?
Hi Jessica! I'm so glad you found TBP too, we're here to support! I'm sorry to hear you're having extreme pain and having to look at other career opportunities. I can imagine being a park ranger is a lot of time on your feet. Do you have any ideas on what you'd like to do next?