My Story & Why a 5K:
In the fall of 2022, I heard something unexpected that would change my appearance and active life: “You have severe scoliosis.” I felt fine and had no idea anything was wrong, so it hit me and my parents hard. X-rays showed I had three different curves in my spine, with one measuring 51 degrees and another showing my spine twisting clockwise. My surgeon, Dr. Lloyd Hey at the Hey Spine Clinic, explained that bracing or physical therapy wouldn’t work for me—surgery was my only option and fuse most of my spine. I chose to have the surgery in April 2023 as that would mark the end of my school soccer season and my pain started getting worse. The surgery and recovery were the toughest challenges I’ve faced in my 17 years. The first four days were especially brutal; I couldn’t move or walk on my own, and the pain was nonstop. During those first three weeks, I cried a lot, worried I'd never heal, and I found myself in a dark place. It wasn’t just the physical pain that was hard; it was also the emotional toll. I missed hanging out with friends and doing activities I loved, like playing soccer. I felt frustration and sadness, wondering if I’d ever get back to my normal life. The thought of losing the ability to be an athlete was devastating to me. All I could do is take one day at a time and keep pushing myself. About a month post-op, I was walking 10-15 minutes through the pain. Then, slowly, things began to change. I started to become more independent. I began jogging which was one of the changing moments for me during my recovery. That moment meant EVERYTHING to me. I was an avid soccer player and running was part of being an athlete. With the help of my family, friends, and a fantastic support team at the Hey Clinic, I started to see small improvements. Each day, I could move a little more, walk, run a little farther, and my spirits began to lift. My family and friends encouraged me to continue with a positive mindset. I'm a believer that things happen for a reason. Through the power of perseverance, I faced this challenge while learning a lot about myself. Scoliosis has been a huge part of my journey, and even though it’s been tough, I feel stronger and more resilient than ever thanks to my support system - my family, friends, and surgeon Dr Hey. I’m excited about the future and ready to take on new challenges. You are reading this today because I see a need for early detection and awareness, so I decided to start this 5K race in North Carolina. By raising funds and awareness about Scoliosis, I'm asking for your help in supporting this cause and honor those who are going through the same journey and obstacles I had to overcome. Raising awareness, educating, and fundraising are ways to do this and make a difference while giving back. The only way to do this is by bringing the community together! Thanks for your time and support to make my wish and goal become a big success! -Lauren
Lauren
Lauren's X-Rays
In the fall of 2022, I heard something unexpected that would change my appearance and active life: “You have severe scoliosis.” I felt fine and had no idea anything was wrong, so it hit me and my parents hard. X-rays showed I had three different curves in my spine, with one measuring 51 degrees and another showing my spine twisting clockwise. My surgeon, Dr. Lloyd Hey at the Hey Spine Clinic, explained that bracing or physical therapy wouldn’t work for me—surgery was my only option and fuse most of my spine. I chose to have the surgery in April 2023 as that would mark the end of my school soccer season and my pain started getting worse. The surgery and recovery were the toughest challenges I’ve faced in my 17 years. The first four days were especially brutal; I couldn’t move or walk on my own, and the pain was nonstop. During those first three weeks, I cried a lot, worried I'd never heal, and I found myself in a dark place. It wasn’t just the physical pain that was hard; it was also the emotional toll. I missed hanging out with friends and doing activities I loved, like playing soccer. I felt frustration and sadness, wondering if I’d ever get back to my normal life. The thought of losing the ability to be an athlete was devastating to me. All I could do is take one day at a time and keep pushing myself. About a month post-op, I was walking 10-15 minutes through the pain. Then, slowly, things began to change. I started to become more independent. I began jogging which was one of the changing moments for me during my recovery. That moment meant EVERYTHING to me. I was an avid soccer player and running was part of being an athlete. With the help of my family, friends, and a fantastic support team at the Hey Clinic, I started to see small improvements. Each day, I could move a little more, walk, run a little farther, and my spirits began to lift. My family and friends encouraged me to continue with a positive mindset. I'm a believer that things happen for a reason. Through the power of perseverance, I faced this challenge while learning a lot about myself. Scoliosis has been a huge part of my journey, and even though it’s been tough, I feel stronger and more resilient than ever thanks to my support system - my family, friends, and surgeon Dr Hey. I’m excited about the future and ready to take on new challenges. You are reading this today because I see a need for early detection and awareness, so I decided to start this 5K race in North Carolina. By raising funds and awareness about Scoliosis, I'm asking for your help in supporting this cause and honor those who are going through the same journey and obstacles I had to overcome. Raising awareness, educating, and fundraising are ways to do this and make a difference while giving back. The only way to do this is by bringing the community together! Thanks for your time and support to make my wish and goal become a big success! -Lauren
Lauren
Lauren's X-Rays
Just a moment...