It wasn’t until age 16, when the necessity of spinal fusion surgery became imminent, that I fully grasped how my scoliosis could forever alter my relationship to movement. The memory of the car ride home from my final pre-surgery appointment replays vividly. I couldn’t utter a word. My mom, in tears behind the wheel, begged me to say something, but all I could think about was how I would break the news to my ballet teacher.
Read MoreAt OHM, I had the opportunity to not only reconnect with myself, reflecting and remembering how I got here and think about where I want to go; I also had the pleasure of experiencing some classes with Martha, who skillfully and soulfully guided me through the story of my life, the story that lives in my body.
Read MoreBut for years and years I had this scoliosis thing seemingly hanging over my every move. This thing that would pop up to remind me I was asymmetrical, or sore, or weak in some imbalanced spots, or - possibly the worst - different from my peers. It often cast a shadow over me. I had no tools or information to understand what/why/how it was doing this or what/why/how to stop it!
Read MoreThings are usually easier when you have a little support. That’s why we’re happy to share details about THREE wonderful new online support groups for anyone with scoliosis and/or a fusion!
Read MoreWelcome to "Back Stories", our TOPS Guest Blog Series. In our third guest blog, Ahava Shira, a professional facilitator, masterful at guiding each person to express themselves in their own way, in their own time, with their own words, shares her story and how she utilizes writing as a form of healing and teaches others to do the same.
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