Hi! My name is Autumn, and I am a 15-year-old ballerina with scoliosis. I was diagnosed at the age of 14 after my ballet teacher suspected that I might have scoliosis. After seeing an orthopedist, I was diagnosed with a moderately sized curve and was then was immediately fitted for a brace. I had to wear my brace for 20 hours a day for the next 12-18 months.
At first, I was so afraid that my scoliosis might make my dreams of dancing impossible, but we worked with the doctors to do everything we could to control my curve. My mom found a local Schroth physical therapist, and I started my exercises right away. I have been able to keep dancing and actually started a pre-professional program, dancing in several ballet productions with local companies!
My journey hasn’t always been easy – I had to start high school in my brace, I often get headaches, and I have had to adjust my dancing as I try to correct my posture against my curve. Although there have been struggles, through my physical therapy and bracing, I have actually started to reduce my curve!
My advice is to never think anything is impossible just because of your diagnosis. I spend almost all my out-of-brace hours dancing everyday, which is what I love to do most and when I feel the most like me. Things may change, but you are still the same you inside, and you are stronger than you believe!