I was diagnosed with scoliosis in 6th grade after a routine screening in the school nurse's office. My mother took me to a local doctor to be evaluated, and he explained that as I grew, the condition would only worsen and that surgery was inevitable. I remember him being very blunt, and I was pretty well devastated, although I didn't understand the full implications of the situation at the time. Someone in our small community of Chillicothe, TX caught wind of the situation and helped get me into treatment at the Scottish Rite Children's hospital in Dallas, TX. In hindsight, this turned out to be a hugely pivotal moment in my life, as I received what I believe was some of the best medical care in the world, all for free of charge. Growing up in a single parent household, this treatment would have been impossible for us to pay for otherwise.

I received a treatment similar to that which many of you have had. I was braced and told that, if I wore it as prescribed, I MIGHT be able to avoid surgery. To sum up the next couple of years, I was stubborn and didn't wear my brace like I was supposed to, and my scoliosis continued to develop. I eventually was scheduled for surgery in the summer between my 8th and 9th grade years. The procedure I had was a bit different; I was part of a study where the surgeon would only fuse the upper portion of the s-curve, which would, in turn, straighten the lower curve a bit, helping to keep it from continuing to develop. 

Over 20 year later, I think I can safely say that my surgery turned out to be a great success.  I'm not limited in my activities at all, really. I play golf. (Not very well, but I play.)  I don't have much back pain directly related to my scoliosis, just the normal aches and pains any 37 year old starts feeling if they don't stretch (or if they sleep the wrong way, apparently).

During the years between my diagnosis and college, I let my condition shape the way I interacted in society. Initially, I was embarrassed about wearing my brace. Even after the surgery, I was always self conscious about the shape of my back and shoulders. In class at my desk, I always worried that the people behind me were staring. Maybe some people noticed, but I was the one who was noticing most of all. At this point, I can't remember ever really being bullied or openly made fun of for it. Most people said they didn't notice until I pointed it out. Other than my own self doubt, I had a normal life.  I experienced a normal dating life, typical college and young adult experiences and eventually met and married an amazingly beautiful and loving woman--- all with a crooked back with a steel rod in it. Today, and for a long time now it seems, I don't think too much or care too much about how I look or what others would think if they noticed. It just kind of faded away after a while. My main takeaway now is that I wish I wouldn't have cared so much growing up. It never really mattered as much as I thought it did, and it only prohibited me from living life to the fullest during some of the most fun periods of my life. 

That’s why I volunteer. When I volunteered at the first HiggyCon and I saw all the kids making friends and having fun, I knew this was an organization I wanted to get behind and be a part of. I didn't know any other kids with scoliosis when I was growing up, so to see you all being able to go through it together, it means a lot. 

Swing by, say hi, and Brace Yourself, Higgy Bears!  

—David (& Amber)
Tornado Coffee Company