I'm really excited about being a group leader
here in Charlotte, North Carolina-- better known as the Queen
City! I thought you would want to know how I got here
though.....
I guess you could say it started when I was trying on dresses
for my National Junior Honor Society Induction. My mom noticed
how the right strap on the dresses kept falling down, no matter
which size or dress it was. She told me to bend over and touch
the ground. That was when she knew I had scoliosis.
She took me to my regular pediatrician, who told us "to watch
it" but that I had nothing to worry about. We felt so relieved!
Little did we know that between 7th and 8th grade it would only
get worse.
A year later we went back to the same doctor only to hear the
same news. We then felt that something was wrong but we couldn't
argue with a doctor right?
At the end of 8th grade we knew that this was becoming a
problem. I was slouching all the time and my back always hurt.
We went back to the same doctor. This time he looked concerned,
only slightly though. He said we should go see a specialist but
that he predicted I would only have to do some exercises and
MAYBE wear a brace. Little did we know how wrong he was.
We went to see Dr. Wattenbarger whom we have know since I was a
baby (he treated my hip dysplasia). We did an x ray and he told
me flat out that I had to have surgery. My scoliosis was 54*
and 38* and we didn't even think it was that bad. We didn't
know what to do after hearing that news. We figured that by not
talking about it, it might go away. Dr. Wattenbarger told us of
a girl who had the same surgery and went on to win Miss NC. We
talked to her through Facebook and finally met her before the
surgery (my spine was then at 64* and 38*). Her name is
Katherine Southard and she helped me and my mom so much.
The surgery on July 11, 2011 was a success. My curvature went
down to 18*and 10*! It took 3 1/2 hours, 2 rods, 18 screws, 4
days in the hospital, an awesome doctor, and an amazing group of
family and friends! I'm now 2 inches taller (coming in at 5'
10!) and never been better.
I wanted to start a Curvy Girls group with Katherine to "pay it
forward" and help other girls like me feel like they have
someone and that they aren't alone.
Scoliosis only made me stronger. This group has made me realize
that I'm not different or strange..... I'M CURVY!!!
