by Ashleigh, 13

Hi, my name is Ashleigh. When I was 12 I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I had a 15 degree curvature and it was going to get progressively worse.

I was diagnosed after I started getting really bad back pain so I went to the doctors and had an MRI scan which was when they found the scoliosis. I went into hospital for two weeks just for pain killers and a few more other tests then I was allowed out.

Since I was in such a lot of pain I didn't go back to school for six months and during that time I was in hospital four more times. When I finally went back to school it was really hard. All my friends knew what was wrong but they didn't understand how to treat me now. They started spreading rumours as a way to cover up the fact they didn't get it. I spoke to them about it and told them I was still the same person so then they were fine with it.

I have to go back to the hospital every six months and have more tests done. I recently went and found out that my spine had already grown to 27 degrees in a year.

It's really difficult to cope sometimes, especially as even writing this story my back is beginning to ache. The doctors have already told me that I will need surgery in the future which I am worried about.

I just want to let anyone out there who is dealing with scoliosis know that you’re not alone, and there are ways to cope with things.

This story may have been edited by Children First for Health for editorial and confidentiality reasons only.

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