In March 2010 I started wearing a back brace to correct my scoliosis curve; that means my spine wasn’t straight and when I stood I looked crooked. The brace was heavy plastic and when I wore it it was hard to stand breathe sit up or turn over in bed. It made me understand how a turtle must feel when it lands on its back. It was also itchy and hot and I had to wear it every night even when I was in camp! I was to continue to wear that brace until I stopped growing — almost three full years!

I wore the brace for a year and a half until after going for a regular routine checkup I was told I needed surgery because the curve was bigger and would only continue to grow without surgery. I was very scared and upset since I had done everything I was supposed to and it still hadn’t helped.