Florals, Vines, and Curvy Spines: The Spirit Behind The Bionic Project

Spine Art by Devyn White, @thepeanutgalleryart

When I first started thinking about what I wanted to create with The Bionic Project, the first things that came to mind were community and growth.

I am a floral lover, and there are so many natural curves and spine resemblances in nature. From tree trunks to flower stems to vines to the spines of leaves, curves are everywhere. Fern fronds in particular are one of my favorites. Seeing these curves in nature makes them automatically beautiful, so why can’t that be true for those of us with curvy spines?

Florals and vines tie in the idea of growth, from a personal viewpoint, and as a community, because aren’t they woven together? Growth is oftentimes a result of getting uncomfortable or trying something new, with a beautiful end result.

When I first started sharing my story online, I was still being very particular about how much I showed off my spine IRL. I was insecure about my lingering asymmetry. I wasn’t prepared to answer any unwanted questions or attention my spine might attract. It felt easier to be vulnerable with strangers online than the real people I had been hiding my spine and true experience from my whole life.

I lacked in person community to make it feel safe. Even one trusted scoli friend would have made a world of difference. But I didn’t have anyone to look up to who was making this experience a positive one. It was much easier to put a smile on and pretend I wasn't affected by the wooden chairs I was sitting in or the deep fatigue that comes on out of nowhere. A theme of humans living with chronic conditions is that we are almost constantly masking. It can be very difficult to unravel who we are outside of our experience with our condition. We are so used to pushing unwanted feelings down that we never bother to acknowledge or give them a name, and they become a part of us. But, when we're surrounded by people who get it, that process gets less intimidating. When we see others trying their best to be vulnerable and unravel the feelings surrounding their experience, we see that it can be done.

Over the last 9 months, I began to host in-person meet ups for people living with scoliosis and/or spinal fusion. My first meet up was just 3 people (including me)! But the magic was undeniable. The power of community is undeniable. We each shared our story, laughed over similarities, offered helpful advice, and held space for the moments we were still working through. I left that first meeting with my heart overflowing with relief, validation, love for every human that has had to walk this journey, and sadness for my teenage self who spent so many years believing she was the only one on planet earth with scoliosis. It was an emotional rollercoaster (in the best way) to say the least. I knew after that first meeting that creating more in person spaces for our community is, in my humble opinion, the most effective and accessible way to help the scoliosis community outside of the medical setting.

Scoliosis affects predominantly women, and being that we are already severely underserved in the health space, this is my effort to create a space where women with scoliosis are seen, heard, validated, and celebrated. When women get together, there is a natural energy of lifting each other up, exchanging helpful information, and validating each others' experiences. The Bionic Project aims to amplify that tenfold. (This is not to say men with scoliosis aren't welcome at The Bionic Project, but while we are just starting out, I am currently focused on serving the majority. Never fear, this is just the beginning.)

The Bionic Project is a love letter to my younger self. To everyone that has walked this road completely alone. This merch, these events, and this community space have been specifically created because they are things that I wanted and never had. I named it The Bionic Project because it is just that: a project. It is ongoing. Having scoliosis is a lifelong journey. The work is never truly finished. And what a beautiful reminder it is that there is always room to grow.

Come to the table. Sit in our circle. Allow yourself to grow with us and find some flowers along your journey.There is plenty of room for everyone. 🌻