Stronger Than Scoliosis

Raising Scoliosis Awareness
by Stephanie Polito

I usually don’t like to talk about my scoliosis because it’s still an emotional topic for me. But I know that I'm stronger than the curve, and I choose to share my story now to spread awareness about scoliosis.

I was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 7. I can remember wearing a back brace, and I did not like wearing a back brace because I felt very self-conscious of my body and the way I looked. When my scoliosis got so bad, I would wear baggy clothes to hide my body because I didn’t want people to see my back and the way it looked. When I got to be a teenager, my scoliosis curve progressed so severely that my back hurt and sometimes I couldn’t breathe. I even had a hard time walking as well. People would call me not so nice names, and I can remember feeling sorry for myself. I really didn’t feel beautiful in my own body.

When I was 16 years old, I had the scoliosis surgery in 2009. They had to do two surgeries totaling 13 hours. The first surgery they did was to open up my rib cage to fix it since my spine was touching my rib cage. After that was successful, they worked on my spine. During the spine surgery, they discovered that all my discs were loose. The doctors thought I wouldn’t make it out of surgery since it was so severe. But I am alive today to share my story.

I can remember waking up in the hospital room being in so much pain. During my recovery, I had to learn how to walk again, do a lot of physical therapy and occupational therapy. I had to learn how to get out of bed, and I had to re-learn how to dress myself in ways that wouldn't impact my spine as much..

The one thing I remember after my surgery the nurses had to have me sit on this chair for for a couple of hours to fix my posture that way I can sit up straight I can remember being in so much pain I wanted to get out of that chair. It was so painful and uncomfortable.

I still can’t believe I had this surgery over 15 years ago. I have overcome so much the obstacles and challenges throughout my scoliosis journey. I sometimes still get very uncomfortable and self-conscious about my scars. Sometimes I’ll cover up my scars that way no one doesn’t see them. I know scars can tell a story, and every story is behind a scar.

There were several years of recovery to gain my full mobility and strength. I am back doing my physical activities that I enjoyed doing before. I love dancing, practicing yoga, doing Zumba to keep healthy and stay in shape. I work out in the gym to build up my muscle, and to do some exercises to straighten out my back.

Knowing that there is a full community of scoliosis warriors out there who are just like me is reassuring. Learning about their stories has helped me to share mine. I know I couldn't have done it alone. I just want to say a big thank you to all my friends and family who have been through my scoliosis journey and I just want to say a big thank you to Shriners Children's Hospital New England. Without them, I don’t know where I would be. Shriners really changed my life in so many different and positive ways. I will always remember how much I have overcome my obstacles growing up with scoliosis.

I will always be a true scoliosis warrior.