styleforscoliosis

[styleforscoliosis]

I’ve been looking at spine tattoos and I’ve seen lots if beautiful designs.

I’ve also wanted a spine tattoo for a long time now. I want vines with flowers and it’ll curve with my spinal curves, I want something beautiful on top of something I hate, something that brings me so much on pain.

[styleforscoliosis]

So a few months ago…

I got told that my scoliosis is doing good, the donor bone that they put in almost 10 years ago is staying in place and everything looks good. Do you know what it was like for me to hear the words “you are okay” ? My mom took me to breakfast after the appt and I cried so hard I couldn’t eat my breakfast, because for so long I had been such a mystery to my doctors for a lot of years. Countless appts and blood work and x rays and CT scans. Since I was 7, up until I was 15, that’s all my life was, my life revolved around my scoliosis and that’s who I was to everyone. The scoliosis girl, or the girl with the body braces. I disappeared and that’s who I was known for for a long time. So hearing the words, “you are okay” was a HUGE fucking relief. I finally became Maggie again, the beautiful strong independent young woman who can overcome anything. I finally gained my sense of self back again.

[styleforscoliosis]

[styleforscoliosis]

Found out I’ve got Scoliosis and I was like damn that’s a shame but it feels better when I found out it’s genetic (my grandmother and auntie had/have it). Idk it’s just like if it was destined to happen, it’s alright cos at least there’s a reason and I guess it makes me feel closer to my family

[styleforscoliosis]

wanted to remind everyone that it’s going to start warming up soon (at least where I am) and it’s TOTALLY OKAY and RECOMMENDED to try wearing crop tops/backless tops or dresses if u haven’t before, you are all beautiful and will feel so free!! the chances of people who dont have scoliosis (or a similar condition) noticing, or at least caring about, your uneven hips/waist/crooked spine/scar are pretty low. we are all our own worst critics and pick apart our perceived flaws much more harshly than a random stranger walking down the street. you all deserve to feel good about yourselves

[styleforscoliosis]

Packing list for hospital stay

A list of things you’ll need when you’re at a hospital.

-Bendy straws.

Oh my god, never forget the bendy straws. You won’t be able to get up much, so you’ll need something to drink water with without actually getting up. It makes everything so much easier. Get bendy straws.

-button up shirts and sweat pants/gym shorts.

Make sure your shirts either have a zip on the front or buttons. Lifting your hands up can be impossible. And make sure the pants are loose and comfortable so you can put them on easily and all.

-deodorant. 

-hair ties, brush. 

I’d suggest putting your hair up before surgery and keeping it that way if you have long hair. The first time I had surgery I had super long hair and made the mistake of untying after the surgery. It will be a mess, trust me. Also, if you’re thinking of cutting your hair short, now might be the time to do it.

-pillow from home.

Now, I personally haven’t done this just because I know my doctor will make jokes about it (he does that often), but the more pillows the better, and your own pillows will probably be more comfy than the ones at the hospital, anyway.

-phone + charger.

Just… I’d advice you not to text the first few hours after surgery. Not only will you be very nauseous, you’ll also probably send embarrassing texts due to how drugged you are. I had to learn this first hand.

-Wipes.

You won’t be able to shower for a while, so definitely bring wipes. You know, for your face, your armpits, etc. Not the best way to stay clean, but at least you won’t smell.

-Moisturizer/lotion.

-Lip balm

Your lips will be SO dry after surgery, you’ll need a chapstick/lip balm.

-Toothbrush and toothpaste. 

-Tissues

-Pads.

-Toilet paper.

You might want to bring your own toiler paper, one time in the hospital they didn’t even have any, they had some rough paper towels, go figure.

-Razor.

In case you want to shave your legs, although I suggest you wax them before going. They may also ask you to shave your back, and their razors are not very good.

-Small mirror.

You won’t be able to walk to the bathroom mirror, so a small mirror will be handy when you want to look as presentable as you can.

-snacks/food.

Let’s be honest. The hospital’s food isn’t very tasty. You might not be very hungry either, so getting your favorite snack might encourage you to eat a bit.

-a notebook and a sketchbook.

You might want to write or to draw once you’re not nauseous.. I personally never used it but why not?

-salt

The food doesn’t have any salt in it, oh my god, get salt guys.

-Laptop, charger, and movies.

I never brought my laptop with me, but my roommate did, we saw a movie. It’s a great way to pass time, even if you don’t even remember the movie at the end of it.

Feel free to add anything I missed! 

[styleforscoliosis]

Self care is laying down flat and watching the ceiling, pretending its the sky, while breathing and focusing on getting as much air into those lungs as possible. Smiling despite the pain, because breathing means that you’re alive anyway and you are a fighter.

Self care is buying that outfit, not caring how it will look on your curved and twisted body, because you LIKE that outfit. Wear it, rock it, and don’t worry about what others think. What matters is what YOU think of yourself, so think highly, loves.

Self care is not hiding your scar(s) but cherishing them. They’re tender reminders that you fought, you fought, you fought. You fought for your precious life, and you prevailed. You lived. You are a warrior, and you are strong, and you are beautiful.

[styleforscoliosis]

“Our backs tell stories no books have the spine to carry.”

[styleforscoliosis]

I made a video for Scoliosis Awareness Month! Feel free to check it out! 

[styleforscoliosis]

It is Scoliosis Awareness Month! Much love to anyone living with this condition and particularly light of my life @flour-power-83 . 💕💕💕

[styleforscoliosis]

I just remembered it’s disabled selfie night. I almost forgot but since I’m here I’ll say this: I’ve been through a lot with my physical disabilities (spina bifida, left sided cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and scoliosis) and dealing with self-doubt but I’m not sure I’d change anything about my situation. Also, even if things may seem impossible to overcome and you feel like you want to give up because of that keep going and remember the words of @taylorswift “these things will change.” @swiftiesofcolor

[styleforscoliosis]

HAPPY SCOLIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH!!!

I might post some scoli related things, so stay tuned for that.

[styleforscoliosis]

HE Y L I S T E N!

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!

Yes! June is Pride Month!! But it’s also scoliosis month and I really need you to raise awareness too!!! Please! This disease affects my daily life and the brace I have to wear every day is EXTREMELY bothersome! However, not much research, if any at all, is being put into finding a better way to help this because no one is raising the awareness!! I know it’s pride, and hats really important! But this is too! Please take some time to do something! Every little bit helps!

[styleforscoliosis]

Happy Pride & Scoliosis Awareness Month to everyone who’s as straight as their spine!

[styleforscoliosis]

So i now everyone is going on about Pride month and stuff AND THAT IS GOOD!

I just wanna say that June is also Scoliosis Awareness Month.

By Scoliosis your spine is unnaturally curved and twisted and it can be very painful. A lot of people underestimate this illness - and that is making me sad, so if you run over this post and want to know more please research scoliosis!

[styleforscoliosis]

It’s June.. scoliosis awareness month and pride month

It’s the month of non straightness.

Spine not straight.. neither am I. 🏳️‍🌈💚

[styleforscoliosis]

Advice please!!!

My back brace came in yesterday and I just tried it on and adjusted it. It feels ok except for the fact that it’s rubbing up under my armpits and it’s not comfortable. Is this normal?