Carine’s story sheds light on the challenges of living with scoliosis and offers hope and inspiration to others facing this diagnosis. Through her advocacy and personal experiences, Carine aims to raise awareness and provide a voice for those navigating scoliosis treatment.
During a routine check-up at 12 years old, her pediatrician, Dr. Odett Brown at Nemours Children’s Health, The Villages, Florida, noticed a slight curve in her spine, a subtle but significant detail that hadn’t been caught before. “I was doing the bend over test and she saw mild scoliosis in my back,” shares Carine. “I didn’t worry about it for a while until she saw it again a few months later and referred me over to Dr. John Lovejoy.” This referral was the first step in a journey that would impact Carine’s life.
Dr. Lovejoy at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida conducted a thorough examination and confirmed the diagnosis of scoliosis. He explained the different approaches available, from physical therapy to bracing, and even the possibility of surgery in more severe cases. After discussion with Carine and her family, they made the decision to start scoliosis bracing. At age 13, this marked the start of Carine’s journey toward managing her scoliosis.
“I was an insecure teenage girl in 8th grade and was embarrassed and nervous finding out I’d have to wear a brace to school daily and sleep with it every night,” shares Carine. “It was a hard adjustment, I felt more insecure and was embarrassed in general when I had to go on trips and in the airport wearing a brace. Now, I feel like I was a little dramatic and it was hard for me to be optimistic but now I look back and it shaped who I am (pun-intended) for the better.” Over time, Carine learned to manage the daily wear of the brace, turning what seemed like an insurmountable challenge into a manageable part of her life. She found support in her family and the orthopedic team at Nemours Children’s, who provided her with the necessary guidance and encouragement. Her experience with bracing not only strengthened her resolve but also laid the foundation for her future advocacy.
The Nemours team, from the nurses to the orthopedic specialists, approached her care with a level of understanding that made a significant difference in her journey. “I’ve had very good experience with Nemours and would like to thank Dr. Brown and Dr. Lovejoy for their intervention and care for my condition,” says Carine. “My favorite thing was their compassion and genuine support, they always tried to find an alternative and never pushed surgery or intensive care.”
With a newfound sense of purpose, Carine began to spread awareness around scoliosis. Now 15, she realized that her experience with scoliosis could be a powerful tool to help others going through similar challenges. She took her message to local school events. Her goal was to educate both students and parents about the importance of early detection and screening.
During these events, Carine would often bring along informational pamphlets and bracelets, encouraging people to get screened and raise support for the National Scoliosis Foundation. “My plan for the future is to spread more awareness for scoliosis and reach out and inspire those with similar or more severe conditions like mine,” says Carine.
Drawing from her experiences, Carine offers this advice to others navigating scoliosis, “It’s a big adjustment right now, but trust me, it’s better to deal with the hard stuff now than later. You won’t regret any bad that’s happening and it’s all happening for a reason. Everything is in God’s timing.”
By sharing her journey, Carine has played a vital role in spreading awareness about scoliosis. She emphasizes that treatment can be a long process, but staying committed and finding experts like those at Nemours Children’s who listen and understand, can lead to better outcomes.
