Malia's Story

My name is Malia Jade and I am a girl who struggles with scoliosis. Make YouTube videos on my channel (Malia Jade) where I give advice on scoliosis. Wear a back brave everyday and have been for 2 years.

I got diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 11 years old. I began to be very worried after I found out I had scoliosis. My x-rays scared me, but I had heard of scoliosis before from my auntie.

My doctor informed me that if my spine reached 25 degrees, I would need to start wearing a brace. I remember pushing down on one shoulder, hoping it would correct my spine. When I went in for my follow-up x-ray, I was very nervous. That day was the day I found out that I needed a brace. I felt very sad and frightened.

Right away, I cried when I got the news. I remember thinking it wasn't true and hoping something would end up so that I wouldn't have to wear it. I'd think about how long it would take to be done with the brace, and how I  would have to find new clothes to wear and what people would think of me.

The day finally came where I got my brace. After many fittings and appointments, my brace was here. I walked into the small room and saw my new brace sitting on the doctor's chair. I picked it up - it was super heavy - and put it on. It was very uncomfortable but I brushed it off like it was nothing.

The first week I wore it more and more, trying to get used to it. I'd look in the mirror and hated how I could see the brace sticking out of my top. even though my brace was really uncomfortable and struggled doing everyday tasks, I never complained about it. When I drop my pencil on the ground in class, I try to pick it up, but it digs into my hip bone. It is harder for me to do these easy tasks. Sometimes I even wish I could be like everybody else and be able to pick up something off the ground. People complain about being hot in the summer, but they do not know what it's like to have plastic on my stomach which I sweat so much under. I would rather wear a sweater on a hot day than my brace.

People ask questions all the time but I'm glad to answer them. People knock on my brace and bump into me, but I don't mind. I have learned to care less about what others think. I've gained so much confidence in these two years from wearing my brace. I do feel different, but it makes me special. Hopefully all of you wearing a back brace realize that not everybody gets to do this. It feels great to be unique.

Thanks for sharing your story, Malia! It is so inspiring to read your story and hear about your positive outlook. It is influencers like you that help to remind us that we're bent, not broken! :)