Wear your scars with pride

IT was a cold November day, sitting in the Crumlin hospital room as we stared at the photos of my spine.

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The curve of my spine at sixty three degrees.

It was a shock to the system to see a photo of it like this. It made it seem all too real. All the questions my parents were asking, but when it was my turn my mind went blank. On the way home I googled the surgery; what popped up was no less than terrifying.

But here I am today, nearly two years post-op after a long journey of recovery and learning to embrace my scars.

Scoliosis is often perceived through a narrow lens: a medical condition that causes the spine to curve sideways, an ailment that many people associate with discomfort and distress.

However, for millions of individuals worldwide, scoliosis is not just a condition to be managed: it's a journey of resilience, transformation, and ultimately, empowerment.

For those living with scoliosis, such as myself, the physical aspect of the condition - from the twisting of the spine to the visible scars left behind by surgery - can be a constant reminder of the trials we've faced.

Yet, there is an overlooked beauty in the scars left by this journey.

These marks are symbols of courage, of survival, and of triumph over a condition that often requires not only physical strength but also mental and emotional fortitude.

Appointment after appointment. Physical therapy. Back braces. Pain. Surgery. More physical therapy. You name it, I've been through it.

Scoliosis can manifest at any age but is mostly diagnosed during childhood or adolescence; I discovered at the age of twelve that I had the condition after getting injured in a camogie match.

The curvature of the spine can range from mild to severe, and while some cases remain manageable with physical therapy and braces, others may require invasive surgery to prevent further damage and alleviate pain.

This was the path that I took after multiple doctor's appointments to confirm this decision.