The Next Adventure

Hello, girlies!

I'm very excited to tell you about my most recent doctor's appointment. On August 18, the doctors told me that I no longer have to wear my brace. I was expecting this, so I didn't expect it to be so much of a shock. I didn't know what I was expecting.

The surprising thing about being brace-free is that my life is no different. I guess I was expecting something more dramatic than "you don't have to wear your brace anymore". Unexpectedly, the biggest changes in my life are the smaller things.

It's the "not" statements that rewards my success. Not having to peel sweaty tank tops from my skin. Not having uncomfortable itches. Not sleeping like a wrapped up mummy. Maybe, I was expecting more of "can" statements. Like, you can....[fill in blank].

Having realized this, I now see that my brace never really restricted me from doing anything I wanted to. I can climb trees in my brace. I can hang out with my friends in my brace. I can live my life with scoliosis. Not having my brace doesn't change any of that.

I don't know, does this make sense? I always thought that once I got my brace off, I'd be free, but that isn't the case. I realize that I always was free. Sure, I can wear that cute sweater I never got to wear, but that's about the extent of my new "freedom". I always thought my life would go through massive changes after getting off my brace, but it hasn't, because the brace never restricted me from anything I wanted to do.

Now, the journey isn't completely over. My doctors suggested I do physical therapy. I don't do sports (my own choice, I just sort of suck at kicking balls and throwing things), so my back has no muscle. It's not like my back hurts, it's just that it aches. I need to develop muscle to help support myself.

I don't really know much about physical therapy, but I'll write posts about it when I go. I think it will mostly be stretches and exercise balls. I'll probably start when school starts, and I wont' have to go for long. Maybe, 2x a week for 4-6 weeks. Nothing major.

I'm still going to try and post on my blog. I really do love blogging and the community we've formed. If anyone has any questions or concerns, feel free to comment on my blog! I'll always comment back. I also wanted to thank you guys for being so supportive doing this rough time. I don't think I'd have half the positive attitude about scoliosis if it wasn't for all of your amazing blogs and support. Thank you so much, and I really do love you all.

Stay strong and have faith in God! Scoliosis can not and will not beat us!

Stay Beautiful XO
Ellen

The Beginning of the End

Hey :)

First of all, my blog isn't working. I was messing around with the URL and I messed something up. I'm not sure if this post will be visible to everyone but I thought I should try because I really do love writing posts. I'll work on getting the URL to be fixed, the whole point of this blog is for others to see so they know they are not alone in scoliosis!

I'll get back to the scoliosis/doctors/health topic now.

Alright, so a few weeks ago I went in for my six-month-annual appointment. I knew there was a chance I could get my brace off and was very excited and nervous. Excited because, well, I might be rid of my plastic corset forever! But also very nervous because I don't know how well I would handle being in it for another six months.

What ended up happening was very, very good.

I do not have to wear my brace to school anymore, only when I am at my house or am sleeping. This is nice because at my house I wear sweatpants and t-shirts regardless. I don't have to worry about being fashionable when I'm at my house or sleeping.

It is a good and strange feeling going to school without my brace. I was diagnosed with my first brace the summer before middle school which begins at seventh grade. I hadn't not worn my brace to school since sixth grade which was three years ago. It is such a good feeling to be able to pick up my pencil without bending over!

In August, I am going to get my brace off completely. Needless to say, I am very excited. This has been such an emotional journey and I have learned a lot from my scoliosis. I am going to try and keep posting because I love blogging and all the friends I have made while doing it. Feel free to always leave comments and questions! I'm here to help!

Thanks for reading my post, I wish you all the best of luck with your scoliosis.

Stay Beautiful! XO

Scoliosis Tag

Hey!
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I've been so busy with high school.
I've decided to skip all of my ranting (thank goodness) and cut to the chase.
I'm going to be doing the scoliosis tag. A tag is just a series of questions you answer. I've seen a bunch of youtubers do this and thought it would be fun to try on blogging. If you decide to do it to leave a link to your blog/youtube video so I can see it. This tag is from scoliosissarahc on youtube. Her videos are just perfect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGB4CwwNBHQ

Let's so how this goes!

Questions :
1. When were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed with scoliosis ever since I remember. I didn't feel like it was a big deal to have any extra doctor appointments in which I would bend over for the doctors. Scoliosis runs through my family so it wasn't surprising that I had it too. I was diagnosed with a back brace in the summer of 2011.

2. What are the degree(s) of your curve(s)?
My curves are relatively small. My upper one is low thirties or upper twenties. My lower curve is in the twenties.

3. Did/do you need a back brace?
I do need a back brace. My brace is named Pika.

4. Have/will you have surgery?
Chances are I will not have surgery.

5. Do your friends know you have it?
I have told some of my friends about it. I'm very shy about telling people about it which I advise not to do! It's better just to tell them flat out than have an awkward situation occur where your friend hugs or pokes  you and yells "What's that?!?" Even though I've told my friends I have it they usually forget and only remember when they hug me.


6. On a scale from 1-10 ; how bad is your pain? (10 being the worst)
It varies. If I have my brace off for a long time it won't be as much painful as aching. It's sort of hard to describe. My back will just ache and feel all weird and uncomfortable. That's why I try to limit my time out of it as much as I can. Other time, my brace will hurt from having it on for too long. I'd say overall my pain is about a 3.

7. What is your best fashion tip and favorite place to shop for clothes for your scoliosis (brace)?
My best fashion tip is layers. You can hide your brace with layers easily. That's why I love fall and winter it's the easiest season to layer in. My favorite shops are Plato's Closet (thanks Ann Marie!) and I've started loving Forever 21. Target is always a classic too.

8. How has scoliosis changed you?
Well, if I didn't have scoliosis I wouldn't have this blog! I love meeting new girls who also have scoliosis. It's weird, I feel like these girls are a sort of strange family of mine even though I've never met you. Also, scoliosis has changed my viewpoint of situations. Whenever I feel sad for myself for having to wear my brace I soon realize that I'm being stupid and wearing a brace isn't the worst scenario. I'm lucky to only have twenty and thirty degree curves. Plus, I guess scoliosis has made me tougher since I have "rock hard abs". #overusedscoliosisjokes

9. What is the best and worst part about having scoliosis?
There are two really goods things. Having this blog and all the new clothes I get when I get a new brace because my old clothes don't fit. The worst part is the fear. I get scared whenever I walk into my doctor's office for my next appointment. I remember the first time I had to change out for gym which was in seventh grade. I was literally shaking while walking to gym because I was so scared that someone would make fun of me for wearing a brace.

10. Who will you tag?
Everyone who reads this post *evil laugh*

Thanks for reading my post! I'll try and post every Tuesday, hmm that sounds good.
Go check out: http://backbracefashion101.blogspot.com/ She's got some great outfits posted.
I love new scoliosis blogs! Leave a comment if you have a blog or youtube account.

Ellen :)

Halloween

Hey everyone :)
I know this is a day late but Happy Halloween!!
Here's a picture of what I was. I was a zombie from The Walking Dead. It's a TV show that I'm totally obsessed with. My brother is the main character from the show who is a sheriff.

 

I know, it's pretty swag ;)



I thought I'd post this because I had my brace on in this picture. But I had too take it off for trick or treating because it had started to rain and I can't get my brace wet.

 

Hope you have a good Friday :)

Doctor's Appointment

Hey everyone :)
I haven't been posting. I could blame it on school and homework and piano lessons but that doesn't change the fact that I'm super sorry. I've been trying to add some tabs on my blog but I'm afraid to change the html because I don't want to mess up my whole blog.

I had my 6-month doctors appt. today. I was really scared. Very scared. I took my brace off for a night. I was excited to sleep without it but it was terrible. I had the weirdest dreams and my parents said I was sleepwalking around. It was an awful night, my back felt horrible. Therefore, I was prepared to have a very bad appointment. I was scared because I know my curve is worse without my brace and I just didn't want to hear-

"Your curves are getting higher, we should talk about the possibility of surgery."

My heart was pounding after my x-ray. The doctor had stepped aside to stitch the two x-ray pictures of my back together to make one picture. I stood next to her, looking at her screen. My curves were the exact same when I slept without my brace as there were when I slept in the brace. The doctors were very happy. I was very happy. Instead of the possibility of surgery I heard something else-

"You'll probably only have to wear the brace for 6 more months."

Six more months. I had never thought really thought about taking it off forever. I've had it on for so long it's just felt accustomed. It feels unnatural without my brace. I'm feeling giddy about thinking about it. I'm not really sure why, just thinking about getting it off brings a huge smile to my face.

Of course, there's a chance that I'll have to wear it longer. But there's no more than a year ahead of me, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I can deal with a year.

I'm going to try to post more often. I'll take pictures and post fall outfits and annual check ups. I'm really sorry I've been slacking. It always makes me smile when I read other bloggers' posts about scoliosis fashion tips. And that's why I started this blog. To make the whole scoliosis journey a little bit easier. Hopefully I've helped one person :)

Thanks for reading, I'll try to post outfits next time. I know this is quite a sappy post, I'm just very excited. May God bless you, have a good week. :)

Ellen

Fall Accessories

 

 

Hey :)

I've decided to try and take better pictures. My pictures usually don't come out great, so I'm trying something new. Hopefully these will look like I didn't take them in my room with the camera built in my laptop.

The new time of year is here- fall. Fall is my favorite season. All family birthdays are in the fall and my favorite holidays. I love the beginning of school because I get too see all my friends again and I love getting new school supplies. Plus, the weather gets colder which I love and the leaves all turn to shades of maroon and orange.

Here are pictures of accessories/shoes I love in fall.

Navy Blue Converses. From DSW: $45.000

 

Nail Polish "Mrs. Mint": Five Below: $3.00
Bracelet: Gift: $ ???

Floral Scarf: Five Below: $5.00

Black Fingerless Gloves: Merrifield Garden Center: $15.00



Key Necklace: Home Ade: $ ---

Live Love Dream Bracelet: Aeropostle: $ ???

Peach Scarf: Gift: $ ????

Teal Knit Cap: Gift: $ ???



That's it for today! Since I had to take all of the pictures I couldn't take a picture of myself wearing the clothes. I'll ask someone to help me next time. But I hope you like this post! I also hope that it puts you in a fall mood! I'm ready for Halloween :)

Bye, Ellen

 

Outfit 2

Hey :)
This is my second outfit from things I got from Plato's.

Pants: Marshalls

Jacket: Marshalls

Shirt: Plato's Closet

 

Sorry it's taking me so long to post pictures. I've been busy! Good luck to everyone in their next school year!

 

Peace,

Ellen

Outfit 1

Just a quick post! I still haven't finished taking pictures and I'm going to the beach soon so I'm going to just post one today.

The floral top was from Plato's Closet. The jean jacket was from Target, the black leggings from Black & White. The necklace is my Harry Potter time turner which I've worn in many other outfits. I got it from universal studios. I just sort of wanted to wear it that day so I put it on :)

That's all for today, if you have questions comment!

 

Update

Hey twisty-girls!
I'm currently working on a clothing post but those take a long time to do since I have to take pictures and them upload them. Just wanted to give the heads up that a new post will come soon. This has NOTHING to do with scoliosis or fashion but I thought this was funny. I was just looking through my blog stats and blog lists when I suddenly thought of my first blog. Believe it or not, this is my second blog. My first blog I made when I was younger, two or three years ago. I thought it was the coolest thing to have a blog. I thought I would share the link with you:
http://lifeissweet.blogger.com <-----------
I don't even know, I thought it was funny looking through my old posts. Half don't even make sense.
Yeah...that's pretty much it. I love looking at your guys posts by the way, even if I don't comment. I try and check once a day on my blogger account. Um...that's all I think of.

Bye for now :)

Anniversary

Hi everyone :)

I'm going to start with the boring things first. I had a doctor's appointment today. This appointment was to see if I needed a new brace or not. Luckily, I do not need a new brace! This is the good news out of today. That took about five minutes to decipher but for the next half an hour the doctor and my mom started talking about books. I really have a new perspective on doctors since I've learned that some of them like to read dystopian novels.

The other big news is...I've reached the 2-year anniversary of getting my brace.

When I first got my brace I thought I would have it for two long impossible years. That was my deadline. But it so happens that I might have it for another 2 years (2 more years being the max). I'm happy that I've come this far and my curves are staying under control but I am disappointed for having it on so long. I'm glad I started early- my curves are only in the high twenties and low thirties. I didn't need a brace when I began but since I have a history of scoliosis in my family we decided it was the best option. I agree, I'd rather have it on for four years with 20 and 30 degree curves than for six months and 60 and 70 degree curves.

Also, my mom promises that every brace year anniversary we get to go shoe shopping.

That's really all that has happened...brace wise. I've been with my cousins since the 4th of July. I got home today and it is nice to just have a normal day. If you have any post requests or any question just comment. Always love new followers bye the way ;)

Hope you are having a good summer so far! :)

Ellen

Clothes Haul

I'm going to try to keep this introduction short but no guarantees. I'm going to start from the beginning. I was going through my blog list and reading everyone's new posts and commenting, following, subscribing, ect. Well, I was reading Ann Marie's newest blog post (http://scoliosisfashionandbraceadvice.blogspot.com/) and I fell in love with the first dress. It was really pretty and it covers the brace perfectly. She said she got it from Plato's Closet and I was thinking it's worth a visit! I went with my mom today and it was just....wow. Clothes everywhere. Everything I got was pretty much less than $10. It was amazing. So I got a lot of clothes. I'm going to post a individual picture of each item I bought. Pictures tend to make my posts really long so I'm probably going to have a separate posts of outfits with the clothes. I'll add prices and where each item was originally from. Oh! I got some new shoes today which I'll add to. I really like shoes. Hahaha, time for the clothes. Sorry in advance for bad picture quality, I'm using my mom's iPad.

This is a gray and pink floral tankish top. It's that transparent material but with a tank or jacket it will be fine! The ruffles at the bottom help conceal my brace really well. And it's long which also helps cover the brace.

Price: $8.00

Original Store: Fun & Flirt Company

This is actually a vest but the picture is terrible. It doesn't really cover my brace but it adds color to a drab outfit. Well, I take that back. It goes down past my brace so it conceals any awkward bumps. But the sleeve holes are too low to cover the part of my brace that goes up to my armpit. But this is really cute! I like it a lot.

Price: $4.00

Original Store: Forever 21

I was really surprised when I tried on this top. It's stretchy and high so it actually covers where the brace goes up to my armpits. It needs a jacket/ tank top but since it's a bubbleish top it sort of flows from top to bottom. You can't see the brace with this on, a tank, and a jacket.

Price: $4.00

Original Store: Papaya

I really like this light pink color. I bought a lot of things in this color. The bottom has an elastic strap that sort of adjusts. By that I mean that when you raise your arms the top stays down instead of flying up. It's also longer then it seems in the picture. It covers my brace. It goes high in the back as well. Just the armpit parts of my brace aren't covered but I'd wear a jacket with this anyway.

Price: $5.00

Original Store: IZ Byer

This is such a good shrug! It's a dark gray so it will go with a lot of things. It covers the armpits and top of my brace which is what I have the most trouble concealing. It also buttons and looks really cute.

Price: $5.00

Original Store: BCBGMAXAZRIA (honest that's the store...)

This is really pretty. The top half of this is that stretchy stuff that sort of expands so you can get in it instead of a zipper. Know what I'm talking about? The bottom half is ruffles. Ruffles really help conceal awkward bumps your brace makes.

Price: $6.00

Original Store: Poetry Clothing

This is just a handy dandy white ruffle layering tank. Goes down long which is always good. Ruffles conceal bumps. We've heard this before.

Price: $8.00

Original Store: Hollister

This is like the third top I posted. It's ruffly, pretty, and I like it. It definitely needs a tank top and a jacket but it's great. 

Price: $5.00

Original Store: Rue 21

 

Total Items: 8

Total Price: $50.00 with tax.

 

I got two pairs of shoes from Payless. Here they are:

The first pair are just for summer things. Picnics, barbeques, other things. The second pair are sort of fancy for a wedding I'm going too.

 

 

I hope this post was helpful! I really like Plato's Closet. I'm planning on trying to go to H&M too since Claire (http://embracingfashionn.blogspot.com/) said it was a really good place to shop. Also Allyson mentioned it in her vlog (http://scoli-fashion-byallyson.blogspot.com/ <-- the link to the vlog is in her blog). When I get a chance I'll go there.

I love comments and questions! Tell me what you want me to post about.

Ellen :)

Summer Clothes

Yes, it's that time of year again. I really like summer- I do. But I find that it is the hardest time of year to find clothing for your brace. Especially if it gets really hot where you live so that means no baggy sweatshirts and old jeans. See, in the winter time when I went to school some days I would throw on old jeans and a sweatshirt and my brace would be perfectly covered. Lazy days at my school (well old school since it's summer!) means tank tops and shorts. That doesn't work out well for me. I wore a lot of dresses to school during May/June but I didn't want to look fancy everyday. So I found a few things that really helped! But also my summer consists of  A) thinking about going out to do something but then B) deciding to stay hone and watch reruns of old TV shows and eating ice cream. And also my closer friends know about the brace so I don't mind if it shows if I'm just going to their house. But when I go out in public I still like to have my brace covered so here are tips!

1) Layering
Layering has also been my best friend through fall, winter, and spring. Why not summer? If you have the right things to layer with then a outfit can be light weight but still cover your brace. I find vests are very helpful and half-jackets. I don't really know what half-jackets are called but they have short sleeves and only come down to halfway down your stomach, just enough to cover the top of your brace.

 
These two are from the Target website. Both come up high in the back and sort of high in the armpits. The only thing you have to watch out for in vests are if they come up high enough in the arm pits to cover your brace. My brace goes pretty high so I have to wear a high tank top under whatever shirt I'm wearing sometimes to cover it.

2) Bright Colors
Bright colors or designs attract attention away from the brace. This also goes for shiny jewelry or a cool hairstyle. Bring attention away from the brace and towards your best features.

 





 





3) Dresses and Skirts

This one is a given but it's one of the easiest ways to cover your brace! You can get workable dresses and skirts anywhere! Here are some pictures:

This is from Forever 21. High low dresses are actually good with back braces because most tend to be flowly and they go high in the back. Now this is a really bad picture so I can't tell how high it goes up in the arm pits but if it doesn't go high enough pair it with a vest or half sweater! It's all coming together now....

I'm going to end the post now since I wanted to post something today but I'm getting tired. I'll be sure to keep posting this week. I'll have more time on my hands since it is summer!

 

Ellen :)

 



Just Another Blog...

 

Hey Everyone! I hope you are having a nice summer. I have two days left of school. ;)

Here is a new blog to check out:

 

--->  http://scoli-fashion-byallyson.blogspot.com/

 

This is going to be a short post but I do want to post what I wore to my 8th Grade Dance. I didn't wear my brace for the dance but the dress was really pretty. I have to upload picture though, so I'll do that later. Bye bye for now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Style & Clothes

 

Hey Everyone! I've been less lazy and I've actually took some pictures of more clothes. I'm just going to skip right to the clothes and ramble at the end of my post.

Pants: Aeropostle

Black Buttoned Tank: Hand me Down

Purple Shirt: Hand me Down

Jacket: Marshalls

Necklace: From a Friend

I like to layer...a lot. I like to layer because I've gotten a lot of hand me downs and it's easy to make different outfits with the same items so I don't have to go get new clothes if I want a new outfit. I just have to layer differently. Marshalls is Amazing because their stuff is really cheap and pretty. The Aeropostle jeans are good but not for braces. I realized that after I bought it though. I don't shop at Aeropostle a lot but I had a giftcard and had 1 or 2 pairs of jeans so I needed new ones. I got those. It's just uncomfortable and doesn't stay up well even with a belt. Oh, and the jacket is really one of those sheet shirts, I just wanted it to be a jacket :)

Necklace: From my Uncle

Belt: My mom's

Jacket: Target

Dress: Marshalls

My mom actually found the dress and the jean jacket.....

 Just as a heads up I have four other dresses to show. I know, I like dresses. I feel like dresses are the most comfortable thing with your brace because in a dress I'm not self conscious that my pants are falling or the way my shirt is positioned will show my brace. If I throw a jacket on a knee length dress, I'm good. And dresses are pretty <3

~

So I just decided to ramble now. I've recently looked through all the pictures on my blog and sort of saw a "style". The outfits I end up liking best are the layering ones with constrating colors or a theme. Say, pinks, corals, pearls, and golds in a outfit. Or I either like just plan dark blue jeans, a bright shirt and a soft colored jacket. With my favorite boots of course. And I love all my dresses! So simple and easy :) So what I've learned through the past 1 and 1/2 years is that a) my fashion has been very strange at moments and b) it's easiest to hide your brace and buy clothes with a style. So I would find your own style. I also like flowly shirts. So next time I'll look for those instead of something else. Just sort of random but embrace a style! Sorry for my lame puns, the embracing one is all I got and I've taken that from quite a few different blogs. Haha, more clothes now.

 

 Jacket: Target
Dress: Macy's...I think
Necklace: Charming Charlie's
I'm wearing my purple All Star shoes with it but you can't see them. I recently moved my desk around so this is the other wall of my room!

  Okay, I'm going to end the clothes for now since the other picture my mom took with her camera and it will take longer to upload since I have to upload all the photos. I started searching for other people with scoliosis on instagram and youtube. Here's a list.

 

Instagram:

~scoliosis_fashion (one of my follower's accounts)

~scoliosis_probs

 

Youtube:

~scoliosissarah

 

That's it for now! If you want more websites just scroll through my many lengthy posts. I have lists in there. June is also national scoliosis awareness month! I'll try and post soon again.

Please follow and comment.

~Ellen :)

 

 

 

 

Rambling

Hello everybody! I'm sorry I haven't been posting as much, I've had a lot on my mind. I have so much to share so this will be one of my "ranting" posts. I'm going to share the medical things first, I had two doctor appointments for my brace. The first one I had is where I had to get an x-ray without my brace. I was supposed to take my brace off the night before the x-ray and sleep without it. But when I'm lying in my bed, chilling with my laptop many things float out of my mind. So I slept with the brace on. I'm so used to it now, I don't even feel it! So the next morning at the doctor's when I had my x-ray I told the nurse that I didn't sleep without it. She said it was fine and I would still get the x-ray. After my x-ray, my mom and I were just waiting in the room. When we were waiting I noticed something outside the window. We were on the second floor of the building and outside the window was a ridge. The ridge connected to the next wall so there was a small 3-sided box almost. You could only notice it from the window. In the small box-like setting there was a squirrel's nest. I started watching the squirrel sleep and it was so cute! Then my mom was watching it too. She noticed that it was acting funny. When we looked closer we saw that the squirrel was actually a mother! I had two little squirrel babies huddled under her. I started freaking out because it was so cute, squirrels are my second favorite animal. I have never seen a baby squirrel before that. Sorry, I get distracted easily and when I make posts I feel like I have to explain everything. Haha. Okay, back to back braces.  When the doctor came in we was ecstatic because my x-ray was really good, my curves were less. But that's when I told him I slept with the brace on. You're supposed to take it off so your curves can shift back to where they would be without the brace. He was a little less happy but he said that if my curves were that small without my brace with a few minutes he said they couldn't be much worse, such as surgery level. Then he also said that on my hip there was a fleck of bone and that meant that I'm almost done growing. Maybe two years at most. So that means that I can count the days until my brace gets off: two years at the most! Yay! It feels good to know how much time is left, instead of wandering blindly in the dark. I can see a light now. Yeah, it's a metaphor, I think. So that was my first appointment. My second appointment was with my other doctor to see if my brace still fits. It fits perfectly right now but he thinks that I'll need another brace before I'm done for good. I wonder what color I should get? Anyway, after my appointments my mom took me to get a Java Chip Frap then I had to go back to school. Figures. Those were my back appointments, now it's time for clothes! I've been on two shopping trips since I've posted clothes so I have ALOT of new clothes to show. I've just been really lazy to change and put on the new clothes.

This isn't as much as new "styles" as just me experimenting with layering...again.

Jeans: Marshalls

Tank, Jacket, and Coral T-Shirt: Hand Me Downs

Belt: Came off a dress

Necklace: Charming Charlie's

(Sorry my room is such a mess).

Okay, so I'm going to interrupt my pictures with what I did with my brace when I went on vacation. I went to Disney World which is down in Florida. There were three main problems. A) Florida is HOT even without the brace B) I can't get my brace wet C) Security at the airport. My mom and I asked the doctor what I should do about the brace and he said for vacation I could take it off as long as I like. That got rid of A and B problems but after awhile my back started to ache so much. I think it's because I have my brace on so much, my back has been getting sort of lazy since it's not supporting itself. I also don't do a sport, I'm not "athletically" inclined so I do a lot more of music/theatre things. So my back doesn't get exercise. I just sort of ignored it though. My family and I thought that the brace might set off the metal detector in security. So what I did is I took the brace off and put it in a pillow case. We put the pillow case with the brace in it through the big machine which check all the bags. It was fine, the security people didn't ask any strange questions about it. I'm sure they've seen things like my brace before. But other than that it was easy bringing my brace to Disney. So if you have a vacation coming up- don't worry!

Actually this post is getting too long so I'll put the rest of the clothes in a different post.

Bye emBRACErs. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Promise

I haven't posted in such a long time! I'm so sorry. I've been busy, I just got back from a trip from Disney World ;) Best vacation ever. I promise I'll have a long post soon, I already have the ranting done, I just need to take pictures. I'll probably add stuff about how I managed my brace during my vacation too, so it will be here soon!

Catching Up

I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long! I'm going for some back appointments next week so I'll have a LONG ranting post for you then :) For now I just have one outfit, I actually did get some more clothes but I forgot to post pictures!

Jacket: Target

Tank: Old Navy (I think....)

Tank: Marshalls

Jeans: Marshalls

Boots: DSW

 

Go Follow: http://embracingfashionn.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

A Different Kind of Brace

Hey everybody! Yesterday I went to the orthandonist and he sadi I'm going to need teeth braces and another type of thing in my teeth. Right now I have spacers in and they are making my mouth sore :( I thought that since my blog is called the Brace Kase I can offer advice on teeth braces once I get them! You can't really hide them or anything but I can explain what it feels like to those of you who will have to get them. All I have right now is take Advils when the spacers actually move your teeth. The spacers are meant to make space between your teeth so the denist can put bands on them. It's hard to eat when you first get spacers so eat soft or liquidy foods like yougurt, soup, cheese, ect. That's all for now :)

Q&A: Common Questions About Braces

Hi everybody! I have decided to make a post on common questions about scholosis back braces. If you have any questions just leave them in the comments!

 

Q: Do back braces hurt?

A: It always depends. Whenever you get your brace or get a new brace it will feel very uncomfortable until you get used to it. My current brace (#3) has a pad don the right side right under my armpit. The pad pushes really hard so it makes that spot ache and sometimes when I take my brace off the spot is really red. So it does hurt but you get used to it.

 

Q: What types of braces are there?

A: The most common type of brace is a boston back brace which is what I have. There is also a brace called a Milwaukee Brace. There is also a new type of brace from Spinecor which is like a bunch of bands instead of plastic.

Boston Brace:

 

Milwaukee Brace:

 

 

Spinecor Brace:

 

Q: How long do you have to wear your brace?

A: I have to wear it for approx. 23 hours a day. I usually go a little pass the limit :) For special occasions you can take it off longer such as if you are at the beach.

 

Q: Will kids at school be mean to me?

A: I have never, ever had someone say something mean to me because I have a back brace. I'm shy about it so I don't tell many people except some of my friends. It's impossible to avoid people knowing when you change out in gym. Not only are they not mean about it they don't treat me any differently which I like. I don't want extra sympathey because of my brace. Once some of your friends know and get used to it it's nice. I have a friend who asks how Pika (my brace's name) is doing. She makes me feel so comfortable with it. :)

 

That's all for now! If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment.

 

How I Got My Brace

 

So far I have done many posts on clothes, fashion, and tips but I have never actually explained what I felt when I got my brace, so here it goes.

 

I was eleven years old when I learned I was going to get my back brace. So far when I went to my back appointments I thought of it as a way to get out of the first half of school, or my first x-rays. One appointment after I had a x-ray my doctor told my mom and I that I needed bracing. I cried, right there in front of all the doctors and nurses. I knew what a brace was but that's the thing. I just knew what it was. I didn't know if it was going to hurt, if I would get made fun of, I thought my whole life was over. My mom and I have a tradition, after any back brace appointment we go to Starbucks before I get back to school. I remember clearly that time we went to Starbucks. I went the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror, my puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. I felt like punching the mirror and watching it break into a thousand glittering pieces.

 

I finished elementary school with the exictement and nervousness of the uncoming hurdle; middle school. I was excited and scared about middle school. After all we all know that rising seventh graders think middle school is where the bullies beat kids up and stuff their heads into toliets and girls gossip behind their friends back. It's not middle so I'm now freaking out it's high school. That's why when I had to go pick up my brace it was a surprise.

 

I went in late July or early August. I remember the doctor strapping it on me and the first thought I had was that I can't breathe in this death machine. When we were driving to the doctor's I was actually excited. When we were driving back I felt like crying or punching a mirror. We went to our shopping center and when we (my family and I) got out to go to Marshalls my family gave me a little stuffed lamb. It's a puppet and it baas, I still have it on my bed. (fun fact: I am insanely in love with all lambs/sheep of all shapes, sizes, and colors)

 

I toke it one day at a time. Then one month, then one week. I remember some moments that I thought the brace would ruin my life. I remember a week after I got it I w as crying to my mom and then changing out in gym for the first time and feeling self concious of all the girls staring at my brace.

 

After awhile things really did get better. I stopped thinking the world was going to end and ended up not really embracing my brace but just living along side it. We all have our crosses to carry. I also learned not to let the brace get in the way of anything you want to do. I also learned that if you ever feel sad about having scholosis or think why do I have to do this, then you need some comfort. I have those days when I just want to scream and so I either go watch a Twilight movie, or write a song on the piano, or write on my book. So, that's really my story. I'm a year and a half through it, I'm hoping that maybe I'll get it off before high school but the chances are slim.

 

Feel free to leave your story in the comments!