An important part of "embracing scoliosis" is accepting your condition and being happy the way you are. Don't think that you're "unlucky" or you were "cursed" or "how come no one else has to wear a brace or get surgery". Sure, scoliosis is disease and it may seem that you are the only one that has it but that's not true. Did you know that about 3 in 100 people have some form of scoliosis? (KidsHealth) It doesn't necessarily mean that in a school of 500 people that 15 people have it however, if there are 7 billion people in the world then there are about 210 million that have some kind of scoliosis. No one is perfect. Even if you see someone that may seem perfectly healthy that might not be the case. What if they have asthma? What if they have dyslexia? What if they have diabetes? What if they have hemophilia? Or a life-threatening allergy? Or even cancer? Now, you're probably thinking about celebrities- the rich and famous. Aren't they so lucky? They seem to be blessed with beautiful skin, faces, body, lots of money...
Celebrities with Scoliosis
-Elizabeth Taylor (Actress: Jane Eyre, Cleopatra, etc.)
-Sarah Michelle Gellar (Actress: Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
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She embraced her scoliosis! Wears whatever she wants! Back bare, don't care :)
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-Usain Bolt (Olympic Athlete: "World's Fastest Runner")
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Scoliosis doesn't stop him from chasing his dreams!
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Scoliosis isn't something you should be ashamed of. Tell your friends first. They will support and respect you (otherwise they wouldn't be your friends!). In fact, I find that they help make it more bearable. To be honest, no one is going to be staring at you and your brace/back all the time (stalker, much?). Most will forget about it. Remember, a brace is temporary. Think of it as someone broke their arm or sprained their ankle and they have to wear a cast. Do people make a big deal about it?
For me, the only thing holding me back was (well still is) my self-consciousness. I have not fully accepted myself but I'm on my way. At my school for one marking period I have to go to gym/P.E. class even though I have a doctor's note. I just get to choose what I can/cannot do... Changing in locker rooms is an issue... I am still embarrassed to change with the brace on. I usually just change in a bathroom unless someone's in there which would be a problem. Do you guys have any advice? Should I suck it up and change out in the open?
I know I probably sound like a hypocrite by saying to be confident when I am not... But this blog is meant to be like a journal for my journey. I am constantly discovering new things and I hope this blog can grow to be a community so we can help each other out and discuss about the struggles that we all share. I thank all my new followers! I appreciate that you took the time to read my blog.
If you have something to share, leave a comment! I'd to hear what you say! The best thing you could do to support me is by being an active member- follow my blog or just by having a discussion on this blog or even sharing any of my posts with others who are dealing with scoliosis.
It's ironic that you put Sarah Michelle Gellar up. I'd been watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the past year and I finally finished the series. It's now my favorite T.V. show next to Angel :) I know how you feel about changing in gym and telling people. I told basically to one in my school last year excpet for a few friends and the people in my gym class. I really wish i had had to the courage to just go up to someone and tell them instead of being all shy and stuff. This year is my last year of middle school and I still have that problem but ALOT of people have found out already. I guess I'm just no tbeing as careful to hide it but it feels better to get it out. :) MY advice is to not be afraid to tell people about it, even though it's so much easier said or thought about then actually happening. Sometimes it feels like I want to tell someone but my mouth just won't move. A girl in my English class foun dout about it today, she was chill with it and nothing changed. Hope any of my rambiling helps get you through your brace journey!
ReplyDeleteHaha, thank you so much. I guess we all think that people are going to freak out over it but most of them are just cool with it. Sometimes I think it's ourselves that's holding us back. "What are other people going to think of me?" and stuff like that.
DeleteFor P.E I just change in the open because I was allowed to take it off during gym, then I just left it in the "cubbie thing" (btw they make the best clothing hangers EVER!) I was kind of hesitant at first but it got easier. No one stared. Only like two people who weren't my friends and didn't know came up and asked me what it was. Then they were all like "Omg! You have a turtle shell! That's epic! You lucky dog!" Don't be afraid. Almost everybody at my school knows about mine and NO ONE cares. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's true. I wear the brace during gym because I don't have enough time to change back into it after gym and I really wanted a study hall. :) Thanks for the advice! I feel much better changing out in the open.
DeleteI'm not sure if you will see this because it looks as I this was posted a few months ago! Anyway, I have a brace as well. For gym I change in the open. At first I got a few skeptical looks and even some, "what the hell is that?!" but I don't care what people think or say about it because if it's anything negative, then it doesn't make them a better person for talking about me. I take my brace off for gym because I like gym (most if the time) and it's hard to shoot hoops when you can't bend over to dribble! Anyway, like you said, embrace your brace! After people see it for a few times, they won't even think twice.
ReplyDeleteYes! I think it's important that people know this. A brace is always a bit strange at first and it takes others to get used to it too. Most people don't mention it and a lot of people forget that I have this brace. :)
DeleteThank u for this... I've been pretty unconfident with my back lately especially because it's summer but thank u for this it helped a lot
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