Connecticut

Hi, I'm Vivian! I’m a rising Junior. In my free time, I like to sketch, read, and do photography. At school, I am on the varsity cross country team and the varsity swim team.

I learned about my scoliosis curve when I was 13 in 2021. After learning about my curve during my annual pediatrician examination, it had already developed to 45°. At that time, I was very scared and unsure of what to do. Not a lot of people around me had scoliosis so I wasn’t sure who to ask and what to think of my curve. Still, we were determined to try all the other methods of scoliosis cure before facing the spinal fusion surgery; I started off by bracing and doing the Schroth therapy method . For an entire year, I used my Boston Brace every night in hopes of decreasing the degree of my curve. Unfortunately, 45° was impossible to solve by bracing — my curve just kept increasing. In 2023, I switched to a 24-hour brace which also didn’t help decrease the degree of my spinal curvature. The same summer, after extensive research, we came across the Curvy Girls association. I’ve never seen so many people with scoliosis and being so confident about their curve. Shortly after, I decided to join the local Connecticut Curvy Girls group. After another doctor’s appointment, I discovered that my curve has already developed to 60°.  This was when my parents and I knew that surgery was the only option left. We scheduled my spinal T1-T12 fusion surgery for June 2024. Unfortunately, a week before my surgery date, the surgeon’s assistant told us that he had a family emergency and was unable to perform surgeries until September of 2024. We have not come up with a solution yet, but have already scheduled meetings with other possible surgeons.

I want to be able to support more girls through getting them involved with the Connecticut Curvy Girls Group. I want to be able to share my experiences and empower other girls to feel confident and supported through their scoliosis journey.