"After being diagnosed with scoliosis at the end of 5th grade, I was scared to tell other people about it because I didn't know much about the condition myself. However, I knew I needed support from at least one person outside my family in order to feel comfortable and do well at school.
On the first day of 6th grade, I told my best friend that I had scoliosis and was wearing a back brace to help straighten my spine. She was grateful that I shared this with her, and she told me that my back brace was my "abs of steel". Her statement gave me confidence to tell people I had "abs of steel" if they discovered I was wearing a back brace.
I started to research more about scoliosis, including the signs and forms of treatment based on the degree of curvature. From that point if someone asked about my back brace, I would tell them with a smile that it's my "abs of steel", then educate them about scoliosis.
I am really glad I told my best friend about my scoliosis because I felt supported and comfortable, and gained the confidence to teach others about scoliosis. After hearing about the signs of scoliosis, my best friend actually noticed some of the signs on herself and went to her pediatrician. It turned out she also had scoliosis!
I realized that scoliosis was more common than I thought, and I was definitely not alone. Throughout middle and high school, my best friend and I supported each other through our scoliosis journeys."
- Kimberly Ann Cunanan Garza, TSAP Founder
TSAP encourages you to tell someone you trust about your scoliosis because it can help you feel supported throughout your scoliosis journey. You may even help another person find out they have scoliosis as well!
Below are some example questions you can ask someone you trust to start the conversation about your scoliosis:
Have you ever found out something that changed your life?
Do you know what scoliosis is?
Do you know anyone who has scoliosis?
At the moment you have confidence to do so, take the opportunity to start the conversation about your scoliosis!
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