“Just With A Brace”: Isabelle’s Scoliosis Journey
When Isabelle first learned she needed to wear a scoliosis brace, she felt completely alone.
“I didn’t know anyone who had a brace,” she remembers. “The school screening was uncomfortable, and even though I knew I had a curve in my spine, it didn’t bother me. So I kept thinking, why do I even need this?”
What followed was a mix of sadness, confusion, and a fear of the unknown. The doctor explained her options and why bracing was the best path forward, but Isabelle still left the hospital that day in tears. She worried the brace would ruin her life, that everyone would notice, and that she’d stand out in the worst way.
“I felt like I was the only one in the world going through this.”
Learning to Wear the Brace
Isabelle received her brace right before winter break, just in time for holiday travel and a plane ride across the country. Learning how to wear a brace while traveling wasn’t easy, but having family around made a big difference. Between cousins, grandparents, and fun distractions, the brace didn’t feel quite as overwhelming.
It also helped to hear stories from her cousin’s best friend, who had worn a brace too.
“That made me feel more normal and confident,” Isabelle says.
She started slow, wearing the brace for just a few hours at a time, usually at home while watching movies, propped up with pillows. Her mom gently reminded her, and little by little, it became more manageable.
Finding a Routine
Reaching the recommended 18 hours a day wasn’t easy at first. What helped most was starting school and finding a routine.
“Once school started, I got into a routine, and that made me feel more in control,” Isabelle explains.
She wore her brace all night and throughout the school day, taking it off in the afternoon around 3 or 4 p.m., then putting it back on around 9 p.m. before bed. Weekends were harder, more free time, more activities, but Isabelle learned how to plan ahead. On busy days, she’d make up hours the next day or wear the brace longer earlier in the week.
It wasn’t about perfection. It was about consistency, and giving herself grace.
“You’re not broken. Whether you decorate your brace, hide it, or wear it proudly- you’re just like everyone else. Just with a brace.”
School, Sports, and Social Life
School was Isabelle’s biggest fear.
She often worried about what to wear so no one would notice the brace. Over time, she figured out what worked best for her: wide-leg jeans, sweatpants, looser-fitting tops, and hoodies.
Those friends were nothing but supportive. They didn’t treat her any differently, and the brace quickly became a non-issue.
For PE and sports, a little planning helped. Isabelle brought a foldable brace bag to school, kept an extra bag in her locker, and changed in the nurse’s office when needed. Her school accommodated extra time for changing, and she simply communicated what she needed.
Most importantly, she never stopped being an athlete.
“I still run cross country and track,” she says. “My scoliosis doesn’t affect my sports at all.”
If certain warm-up stretches weren’t good for her spine, she told her coach and did alternatives. Her teammates and coach were fully supportive, and many didn’t even know about the brace until she chose to tell them.
The Support That Made the Difference
Isabelle appreciates the people who supported her along the way.
“My family and my best friend supported me the most,” she says.
Her mom helped her try on clothes until she felt confident and stayed on track with brace hours. Her best friend listened to her vent and complain, and that shared honesty only brought them closer. Physical therapy felt less isolating too, thanks to friends who had been through similar experiences.
And then there were her little sisters.
“They thought the brace was a superpower,” Isabelle laughs. “They were mad they couldn’t tickle me anymore.”
“And honestly?” she says. “Nobody noticed. Except my closest friends.”
A Moment of Pride
One of Isabelle’s proudest moments came on the track.
The same year she started wearing her brace, her relay team qualified for the State Championships, her first time ever going to State.
“I thought I’d get worse because of the brace,” she says. “But I actually improved.”
That moment changed how she saw everything.
“It showed me I could still live a normal, awesome life, even with this piece of plastic on my body.”
Advice From Someone Who’s Been There
Isabelle’s advice is simple but powerful:
“Nobody cares.”
She worried about people noticing, or what would happen if someone bumped into her and felt the brace, but none of that happened.
“I joke about having rock-hard abs now,” she says.
Her tips for other teens:
- You can still do sports and hang out with friends
- Wear your brace shopping, it helps you find clothes that work
- Winter becomes your favorite season; thank you sweatshirts
- There are other teens going through things you may never see
- While it seems impossible now, it gets easier with time
“This brace is only for a few years,” she says. “It just tags along for a bit. And figuring out how to adapt makes you one of the strongest people you’ll ever meet.”
Looking Ahead and Giving Back
Now in 8th grade, Isabelle looks back on how far she’s come with pride.
At first, she struggled just to sleep in the brace. Now, she wears it 18 hours a day without even thinking about it.
What’s next? Giving back.
When Isabelle was in 5th grade, a high school student visited her school to talk about scoliosis and that stuck with her. Now, Isabelle volunteers to talk to younger kids, bringing her brace with her and sharing her story.
“At the beginning, I wished I knew someone going through this,” she says. “Now I can be that person for someone else.”
Disclaimer:
OPSB products and products distributed by OrthoPediatrics Corp. and its subsidiaries should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult your pediatrician or orthopedic specialist for professional advice. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations and instructions.
