TSAP is happy to present an excerpt from The Triumphs of Scoliosis: Chapter Book, written by our founder, Kimberly Ann Cunanan Garza.
Please enjoy reading the chapter below.
Chapter 5: Challenges and School
With a new school year around the corner, I prepared everything necessary for wearing Cindy to school.
The first thing was finding clothing. My middle school required a uniform; everyone had to wear a belt, jeans and a polo to be tucked in.
At the store, I found some new jeans of my size. When I tried them on, they were the perfect length and fit comfortably. However, when I tried to pull them all the way up, I couldn’t for some reason. I realized they did not fit over Cindy.
“Mom, these jeans would fit without Cindy, but they won’t go over her.” I explained.
“Hm, I guess we’ll have to get a size up then.” Mom responded.
I was reluctant at first with this idea, but I knew it was the best option. I couldn’t leave the jeans underneath Cindy as they would be too low. I tried on a pair that was one size up and it fit snugly over Cindy. I wouldn’t be able to wear a belt with Cindy on, so I was glad these jeans fit perfectly.
Next, I had to find a polo. I tried on a polo and tucked it into the jeans I had just gotten. Tucked in, it did not look natural. My abdomen looked bulky and my hips appeared square. I did not feel comfortable with the way my uniform looked with my brace underneath.
“I don’t like the look of it. It looks weird.” I told Mom.
“Try leaving your shirt tucked out.” Mom recommended.
I untucked the polo and looked in the dressing room mirror again. The outline of Cindy disappeared, safely hidden beneath the gray material of the polo.
“Perfect.” Mom said. “Now I can’t even tell that you’re wearing a brace.”
“It’s good, but the uniform requires the polo to be tucked in. I don’t want to be in trouble if it’s tucked out. What should we do?” I asked.
“Dr. Mill had provided us a note stating you have scoliosis and that you are wearing a back brace to treat it.” Mom responded. “It falls under the Section 504 Plan [1], in which the teachers and administrators should understand that you may need some accommodations for wearing Cindy, such as having your shirt tucked out. We will bring this to the school nurse and counselor, and we will also speak to your teachers so they are aware.”
[1] Federal law that protects the rights of students in elementary or secondary school that have a form of disability
Before school started, Mom and I presented Dr. Mill’s note to the school nurse and counselor. We then spoke to my teachers to notify them that my shirt will be tucked out and I may need to stand up a few times during class to ease any discomfort wearing the brace.
“That is not a problem, we want Kimita to be comfortable so she could learn at her highest potential. I am very excited to have Kimita in my class, and I look forward to her success!” all my teachers replied.
I slowly exhaled as we finished speaking to my teachers. I was so grateful that all my teachers were understanding about my scoliosis and were willing to make accommodations.
Mom and I then went to the PE coach to ask if I could use one of the larger lockers, which was typically reserved for athletes, to put my brace in during the PE period. The coach fortunately agreed.
I was thankful that everyone was willing to help me feel more comfortable wearing Cindy at school. With this in mind, I looked forward to starting middle school.
Stepping onto the campus grounds on the first day of school, I took in a deep breath. I was excited to start a new school year in a new environment. There seemed to be more independency in middle school compared to elementary, and I was ready to have my knowledge challenged.
It was school policy for every student to line up by class before the bell dismissed us to first period. Lining up with the other students, I looked around. Everyone had their shirt tucked in. My face and ears felt hot and I started to break a sweat. I was nervous someone would point me out for having my shirt tucked out.
The bell rang without anyone approaching me about my polo. Walking to class, I tried to stay in the middle of the swarm of students to hide my untucked shirt.
“TUCK IN YOUR SHIRT!” a sharp voice yelled.
I abruptly stopped in my tracks, tears welling in my eyes. I slowly turned around and faced the staff member, my eyes down.
“Why isn’t your shirt tucked in?” the staff member asked harshly. “I hope you know you are breaking the rules. I hope you are not trying to start trouble.”
“I-I’m sorry ma’am, but I can’t tuck in my shirt because I’m wearing a back brace. I-I have scoliosis.” I tried to explain.
“Oh.” she responded coldly. “Make sure you tell that to the administrators.”
“Thank you.” I muttered quietly. I turned around quickly and took in a deep breath. The staff member could have at least approached me kindly, I thought. Now I am almost late to my first class, and I do not want to leave a negative impression on my teacher. I regained my composure and rushed to class before the late bell rang.
Entering world history class, I saw my best friend Gabriela. My face immediately lit up.
The first fifteen minutes of class were reserved for students to eat breakfast, so I had a chance to talk to Gabriela.
“Kimita! How are you, how was your summer?” Gabriela did not even notice or question my untucked shirt.
“Hey Gab!” I responded with enthusiasm. “I’m great, how are you?”
“Awesome!” she answered.
“Hey Gab, can I tell you something?” I asked quietly.
“Of course!” she replied. “Tell me anything, I am here for you.”
“I found out I have idiopathic scoliosis.” I deeply exhaled. “That means my spine is not straight; it looks like a backward ‘S’. To help it get straighter, I am wearing a plastic back brace. That is why I need to have my shirt tucked out.”
“Thank you for talking to me about this.” Gab responded. “Well, I am glad you found out at this age, so your treatment will be really effective. Can I poke your brace?”
She poked my shirt to feel the brace underneath. A sound like knocking on a piece of wood was audible. “Wow, that is so cool!”
“Thanks.” I said with a smile. After the encounter with the staff member, Gab made me feel more comfortable wearing my brace to school.
Later in the day, I attended PE. All girls had to change into the PE uniform in the locker room. There were bathroom stalls, but they were reserved for athletes and were not big enough for me to take off and put Cindy back on. I was already uncomfortable with the idea of changing in front of other girls, and I now had to expose my brace.
Trying not to draw attention, I slowly undid the first strap of Cindy.
CRACKLE. The strap made a large sound as the Velcro separated.
Immediately, all eyes turned to me.
“Woah, what is that? Is that a girdle? Why do you have that? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” The girls in the locker room threw so many questions in my direction.
Overwhelmed, I did not respond. I did not know what to say. Thankfully, Gabriela stepped in between and responded for me. “Kimita has to wear a back brace to straighten her spine because it has a curve.” Gab explained. “It’s her abs of steel.”
I smiled at that statement. “Thanks, Gab. You are a very supportive best friend, and I greatly appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome. That’s what best friends are for!” Gab said with a smile in return.
From that moment in the locker room, I gained confidence about wearing Cindy. Each time someone discovered I was wearing a back brace and asked about it, I would tell them it’s my “abs of steel”, then explain more about scoliosis. Even though I felt judged and embarrassed at the beginning of the school year, I was determined to stay focused and use these negative experiences to fuel my strength. With this newfound confidence, I became comfortable at school and was able to excel in my academics and extracurricular activities, especially University Interscholastic League (UIL), an academic competition in subjects such as Spelling & Vocabulary and Calculator Applications. I also earned straight A’s in all my classes and advanced my knowledge beyond my classmates. I was eager to continue school and expand my knowledge.
Interested in reading more? The Triumphs of Scoliosis: Chapter Book is available for purchase through the Blurb Bookstore. TSAP greatly appreciates your support!
Commentaires