01
The diagnosis
In 2021, my scoliosis journey began. It started when my mom noticed that my posture looked strange: uneven shoulders and a tilted waist. We went to the doctor thinking it might just be something small, but I was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves in an abnormal way. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first. I thought it was just a slight issue, something that would fix itself. But suddenly, I found myself in a random clinic getting measured with plastic wrap, feeling like I was being suffocated, all so I could be fitted for a back brace. That brace changed everything. I had to wear it to school and basically for the entire day. Only a few of my closest friends knew about it, so to most people, I just looked like I had something weird sticking out from under my shirt. I still remember someone once asking me, “Jiya, are you an alien?” That moment crushed me. My self-confidence disappeared, and wearing the brace started to feel like a daily battle.
02
The turning point
After wearing the brace for about a year, I went in for another check-up. I was hoping for progress; maybe I could finally stop wearing it. But instead, I got hit with the worst news: my curve had worsened to 90 degrees. That’s nearly a right angle. The brace hadn’t helped, and now I needed surgery.It broke me mentally. The thing I thought wasn’t serious had suddenly become life-altering. My parents started researching like crazy. We eventually flew to New York for surgery with Dr. Lonner, one of the best in the field. I underwent a 16-hour surgery, which included both a tether and a spinal fusion.After surgery, it felt like my body had been completely rebooted. I had to learn how to walk again. Even standing was painful. I experienced cramps, stiffness, and relied on help just to move or bend. I couldn’t go to school, so I had to do online learning for months. My academic performance dropped, and I felt like I had hit rock bottom. That recovery phase lasted six months physically and emotionally draining.
03
Life after surgery
Now, fast forward. Two years after surgery, I’m living my best life.No brace. No hiding. No more fear. I finally feel like myself again. Yes, I still get back pain sometimes, but with a bit of stretching and rest, it’s totally manageable. And honestly, if you had told 2022 Jiya that this would be her reality, she would’ve cried tears of joy. That girl who once felt invisible and stuck inside a brace is now free, confident, and thriving. If you’re reading this and going through something similar, please know you are not alone. It’s tough, but you are stronger than you realize. Scoliosis might be a part of your story, but it doesn’t define who you are.
