Bridgette's back

In the fall, Bridgette started complaining her back hurt so Tyler examined her and discovered she had scoliosis.  We took her to the pediatric spine orthopedic doctor and she was diagnosed with x-rays. Her initial curve was 13 degrees, but after her 6 month x-ray check her curve had increased to 19 degrees.  Her doctor decided it was time to start wearing a Boston Brace.

She will be wearing her brace for 20 hours a day until she is done growing.  So for probably 9-10 years.  The goal is to keep her curve around 20 degrees so we can avoid back surgery later on.  The brace pushes her spine back straight so it can grow equally and prevent the curve from getting worse.

It was a really hard thing to adjust to for all of us, but she is doing okay now.  She wears it to school and sleeps with it on.  We've had to get new seamless shirts and underwear, and a cushion to sit on at school.  She loves the brace pattern she chose and doesn't like to wear clothes over it because she wants people to see her brace.

At school it is hard to sit on the floor, so she has the cushion to provide a larger angle between her hips and thighs so it doesn't dig in.

She has been so brave and compliant for this whole thing even though it hurts, initially gave her bruises and marks, and it's super hard to move in.  She has figured out how to play normally which is a big relief because I didn't want her to miss out on a carefree childhood.  We love this sweet girl and are proud of her response to this life changing event.