Hi, my name is Kelly, and I’m 14 years old. I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 4. I live in Houston, Texas, and I want to share my journey with bracing and my love for exercise and sports.

Since I was diagnosed so young, my parents enrolled me in swimming lessons to keep my body fit and strong. I fell in love with the water and have been swimming ever since. As I took began to swim seriously, I started to notice the differences that set me apart from my teammates. During dryland exercises, sit-ups and crunches were particularly challenging for me. After I started doing physical therapy, I realized that these exercises were more difficult for me due to my curve.

At 11, I started wearing a brace. It was an adjustment initially, and I felt uncomfortable and a bit self-conscious. I would change in a closet during Dance and PE due to my insecurity. The brace took some getting used to, but over time, I learned how to manage the discomfort and sweating. My confidence grew when my coach pushed me to my limits in practice and in swim meets. Competing in difficult races and reaching the finish line made me realize if I could push through swimming, I could push through bracing too.

I am no longer ashamed of my brace or try to hide it anymore. My class and teammates never made me feel less normal. I have fun when I tell others about my brace; I say I’m secretly Iron Man :). Swimming has built my confidence despite scoliosis. Every hard race I finish, I think, “My scoliosis and I did that together.” Love your body and who you are, emBRACE it <3! To all bracers, swimmers, and athletes with scoliosis, you can reach the finish line if you set your mind to it.

“You can’t put a limit to anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” - Michael Phelps