This is a question I get asked a lot. My standard answer is with a karate - style hand gesture and the words: "So normal spines go like this...*demos* and my spine goes like this...*demos*."
Normally we leave it there. But I don't think anyone really understands the pain and the deformity and the horrible ugliness until they've felt it and experienced it.
So I'm going to keep this diary, every so often updating it throughout my journey, in an attempt to demonstrate how extreme this condition actually is.
That's the plan, anyway.
So what IS scoliosis? Well, it's an abnormal curvature and/or rotation of the spine. That's the simplest way of explaining it. If I go into more detail, it pushes the shoulders, hips, ribs, arms and legs out of line. I have a 'rib hump' (no, I'm not a camel) which is verrrry painful and sensitive and noticeable - thankfully not in my school uniform! My left arm is about an inch longer than my right but thankfully my legs are pretty even.
But this doesn't just affect appearance. It affects balance, breathing, the heart and above all, self esteem and confidence. More on that probably later.
OK, I'm bored of writing this already. And it's only 8:15pm. No promises that I'll write regularly.
YOU ARE READING
A Scoliosis Journey
Não FicçãoSince everyone seems to be doing diaries and blogs right now, I'm going to do one too. This is my attempt to raise awareness of my back condition. Also trying to make sense of it in my own mind!
