I stumbled across this article 22 Truths People With Scoliosis Wish Others Understood and it hit me like a freight train. No two cases of scoliosis are the same, like no two people are the same. However, I can relate to the challenges that come with having scoliosis and making adjustments that people without it don’t necessarily need to.
This may be my profession creeping in, but I don’t like to point out problems unless I have a helpful recommendation, so I took a look at the 22 truths and came up with a list of 5 blessings from them.
1. Self pampering.
I love Winter, because during Winter my favorite way to spend a Friday night is by putting on some music and reading a book while soaking in a bath with 1 1/2 cups of dead sea salt (as prescribed by my acupuncturist). With a glass of wine of course. I know salt water baths are good for relaxing painful muscles and reducing stress – not to mention many more benefits – and I take advantage of my body’s demand for attention and make taking care of myself something I truly enjoy.
2. When I wear clothes, I know I look good because I feel good.
Two words: Power Dress. I wear clothes that flatter my shape and make me feel comfortable. When I discovered the magic of power dressing, it gave me confidence going out into the world. The structure creates symmetry and the style is a classic. Whether it’s a power dress for the office or a blazer and jeans for a night out, I don’t see imperfections, I just see me.
3. Kindness.
Most people are surprised when I tell them I have scoliosis. Even when I was diagnosed, it was a complete shock to my family because it wasn’t obvious from looking at me that there was anything going on underneath the surface. I had a firsthand experience with fighting battles that no one else (outside of my family) knew about. It taught me to be kind to everyone, always. Because you never know what they’re going through.
4. I think about the future.
When I think about the choices I make now, it’s second nature to think about their effects 10, even 20 years out. Though I don’t love working out and loathe stretching, I know my 40 year old self will thank me.
5. The power of relief.
The only good thing about pain is relief. I have been brought to the point of tears from pain in my upper back, but I’ve also been brought to tears by experiencing relief. It’s a feeling I appreciate so much that I get excited (and maybe a little overeager) to share these discoveries with others. The hard truth I have learned is that aging can be a painful process for everyone. But this pain is our body’s way of telling us something. It is our job to listen. Pain is not something we have to live with, and I know this because relief is real and it’s just waiting for us to find it.
