Help us raise money for the Scoliosis Research Society. SRS is a not-for-profit organization, whose purpose is to "care for those with spinal deformity throughout life by patient care, education, research, and patient advocacy."

Hi! Our names are Ayla Chernosky and Ada Petersmith. We both deal with scoliosis, but in different ways. Scoliosis is a mainly idiopathic condition where the spine develops an abnormal sideways curve, often in the form of an "S," or a "C." Treatment options range from observation, to bracing, to spinal fusion surgery.

My name is Ayla, and in August 2024, I was diagnosed with scoliosis and told I had to see a spinal surgeon as soon as possible. I was lucky enough to get an appointment shortly after that with an incredible surgeon, who confirmed my diagnosis and told me I needed to undergo spinal fusion surgery. Upon learning this news, I felt like my normal world was turned upside down. This was one of the hardest challenges I've ever had to face. Spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis is a procedure where the vertebrae are fused together using plates, rods and screws to mimic solid bone, straightening the spine and preventing further progression of the curve. In my case, my surgeon also had to crack 4 of my ribs and re-fuse them in order to further realign my back and to take pressure off of my lungs. After an almost 6-hour surgery, I spent five days in the hospital, and had to learn how to use my body again. The next two weeks of recovery were some of the hardest in my life so far, and it took about 2 months to make a full recovery. It’s now been almost 7 months since my procedure, and I am feeling great and am cleared to do any and all activities. Before my surgery, I had a lot of back pain and difficulty breathing because the scoliosis was causing my rib cage to push on my lungs. Now, I am able to do anything without any issues. I wanted to share my story with others not only to raise awareness for scoliosis, but also to help those who might be going through the same thing.

My name is Ada, and it's hard for me to mark exactly when I became diagnosed with scoliosis, but I do know that I've always been tall. Taller people are more susceptible to experiencing the effects of scoliosis on their height. The progression of scoliosis in a taller person may lead to more noticeable impacts because there is a longer spinal cord. Rapid growth during adolescence can exaggerate spinal curves, and the growth of a person's torso can apply more weight and leverage onto the spine, increasing stress. As I grew taller and taller, the curve noticeably worsened, and with it, came poor posture. My back pain is severe, especially when trying to sit straight, impacting my day to day life. I was recommended to wear a mini-brace to minimize the impact on my spine. The brace is often restrictive, and uncomfortable. I find myself not wanting to use it, despite knowing it will help me. Scoliosis impacts around 7 million people in the United States. I wasn’t aware of how common it was until I was diagnosed, which is why I wanted to spread awareness. It is important to recognize that you are not alone, especially when going through something that can make you feel like an outsider. I wanted to share my story to emphasize not only that scoliosis is a spectrum, ranging from observation, to bracing, and even to surgery, but also to help those going through the same thing as me.

Thank you for reading and we hope you’ll consider contributing to our cause.