by Holly, 13

Hello I’m Holly and I’m 13 years old. Well I have had scoliosis since I was first born and it wasn’t discussed till I was five. My first visit to the royal orthopaedics hospital in Stanmore was very scary. My consultant discussed what was wrong with my back and nothing else was discussed for a few months after that.

A few years went by, and when I was ten my consultant said that I would have to wear a brace to stop my curve worsening but I wore the brace for one year or so and then I stopped because it was really uncomfortable and making me sore. Finally when I was 13 in July 2007, my consultant told me that I would have to have a two stage fusion in my spine with one week between each operation.

I finally got a letter saying that my operation would be on the 14th January 2008 and I was very scared, and the second operation on the 22nd of January 2008.

Both operations went really well and I am on the road to recovery. I have been at home for four days now and really happy that I’ve had the operation and I have a whole new life ahead of my!! Including carry on with my show jumping career with my 2 ponies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are worried about having the operation don’t be – it’s painful but definitely worth it!!!!!!!!!

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

For more help and information:

• The Scoliosis Association
• The Institute of Child Health
• The British Scoliosis Society

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