Bent Not Broken Laying on the operating table in the fridged and bright room, tears falling down my face faster than the speed of light. I am told to keep breathing. but my breaths are shallow and staggered. I was terrified because my life would be forever changed. Before I know it, I attempt to fight the sleep, but the medicine overtakes me. I was diagnosed with scoliosis in early 2021. Scoliosis is any unnatural sideways curvature of the spine. At first, I was not worried about my condition because my pediatrician had stated that there was no way that I would ever need surgery since I was already a teenager and the likely good of curve progression was minute. All was well until I visited an orthopedic surgeon for the first time. This was just months after my initial diagnosis. "We will keep a close eye on the progression of the cure, then make a decision on the best course of action” said the surgeon. Not even a year later, I was being scheduled for spinal fusion surgery to correct what was now severe scoliosis. When the time for my surgery had arrived, I was scared and alone. My boyfriend at the time, my greatest emotional supporter, had left for Army basic training. I wasn't sure how I would go through this moment without him. After a nearly six-hour surgery, I was in the post-surgery intensive care unit. I had a very long recovery ahead of me, one year to be exact. I had to relearn now to sit, stand and walk. The pain was unbearable. but had to push through. In the weeks after my surgery. I had to push myself so very hard to just barely get by. I knew that I couldn't stop. I knew that I had to keep going no matter how hard it became. I am already a full year post operation. Nobody would ever be able to guess that I had a major spinal surgery just twelve months ago. I am entirely independent and stronger than ever. I have chosen to take the nursing school path because I believe that my experiences in being a medically complex child will benefit me greatly in the clinical setting. I will be able to understand patients pain and closely sympathize with them and provide proper care and management in a judgement free zone. Considering that I have been in their shoes nearly my entire life. I will be a successful nurse because I am determined and highly driven to do good for others. I wish to care for patients who are just like me. I am bent, not broken.

Bent Not Broken Laying on the operating table in the fridged and bright room, tears falling down my face faster than the speed of light. I am told to keep breathing. but my breaths are shallow and staggered. I was terrified because my life would be forever changed. Before I know it, I attempt to fight the sleep, but the medicine overtakes me. I was diagnosed with scoliosis in early 2021. Scoliosis is any unnatural sideways curvature of the spine. At first, I was not worried about my condition because my pediatrician had stated that there was no way that I would ever need surgery since I was already a teenager and the likely good of curve progression was minute. All was well until I visited an orthopedic surgeon for the first time. This was just months after my initial diagnosis. "We will keep a close eye on the progression of the cure, then make a decision on the best course of action” said the surgeon. Not even a year later, I was being scheduled for spinal fusion surgery to correct what was now severe scoliosis. When the time for my surgery had arrived, I was scared and alone. My boyfriend at the time, my greatest emotional supporter, had left for Army basic training. I wasn't sure how I would go through this moment without him. After a nearly six-hour surgery, I was in the post-surgery intensive care unit. I had a very long recovery ahead of me, one year to be exact. I had to relearn now to sit, stand and walk. The pain was unbearable. but had to push through. In the weeks after my surgery. I had to push myself so very hard to just barely get by. I knew that I couldn't stop. I knew that I had to keep going no matter how hard it became. I am already a full year post operation. Nobody would ever be able to guess that I had a major spinal surgery just twelve months ago. I am entirely independent and stronger than ever. I have chosen to take the nursing school path because I believe that my experiences in being a medically complex child will benefit me greatly in the clinical setting. I will be able to understand patients pain and closely sympathize with them and provide proper care and management in a judgement free zone. Considering that I have been in their shoes nearly my entire life. I will be a successful nurse because I am determined and highly driven to do good for others. I wish to care for patients who are just like me. I am bent, not broken.

Bent not broken Laying on the operating table in the fridged and bright room, tears falling down my face faster than the speed of light. I am told to keep breathing. But my breaths are shallow and staggered. I was terrified, because my life would be forever changed. Before I know it, I attempt to fight the sleep, but the medicine overtakes me. I was diagnosed with scoliosis in early 2021. Scoliosis is unnatural, sideways curvature of the spine. At first, I had no worries, insecurities, or confusion about my condition. My pediatrician stated that there would never be a need for surgery since I was already a teenager and the likelihood of cure progression was almost none. All was well until I visited an orthopedic surgeon, just months after the initial diagnosis. “We’ll keep a close eye on the spinal curve, then make a decision from there” said the surgeon. Not even a year later, I was being scheduled for spinal fusion surgery to correct what was now severe scoliosis. Around the time of scheduling my spine surgery is when I came across a very special website. “Higgy Bears…making scoliosis more BEARable.” As soon as I saw the stuffed animals that were fitted with a scoliosis brace, visible spinal curve, or spinal fusion rods, I knew I had to have ALL of them. I places my first order and once it came, I received a ton of extras in my package. One of the most notable extras was a handwritten letter from the founder, Lauren Higginson. Lauren also has scoliosis and underwent spinal fusion. An additional letter in my package gave information about Lauren’s HiggyBear Ambassador Program. I immediately reached out to her and was given a spot on her ambassador team! Lauren regularly speaks with and supports her ambassadors. I would regularly ask Lauren questions about scoliosis and about spinal fusion and what to expect with my upcoming surgery. I decided to start my own HiggyBear Fundraiser, now that I was an ambassador. The goal of my fundraiser was to collect donations so that I could purchase and donate tons of HiggyBears to for the children’s hospital that I would be having my surgery at. My fundraiser was a hit! I even made the local news for a live interview just a week prior to my spine surgery. Prior to my surgery, I was not self-conscious about my scoliosis. I didn’t necessarily feel different since my abnormalities were hidden inside of my body. However, after my surgery, I was extremely self-conscious and emotionally damaged. My abnormalities were highlighted due to the 28 inch scar that the surgery had left behind. Nonetheless, Lauren was there for me after my surgery just as she was before. Except this time, the whole scoliosis community had my back (pun intended) Lauren helped me to see that I am I am more than my disability. I am more than 2 rods and 20 screws. I am more than my diagnosis. I am more than scoliosis. Lauren helped me overcome my fears and adapt to my new life as a scoliosis warrior. Lauren helped me to realize that I am bent, not broken.

Bent Not Broken Laying on the operating table in the fridged and bright room, tears falling down my face faster than the speed of light. I am told to keep breathing. but my breaths are shallow and staggered. I was terrified because my life would be forever changed. Before I know it, I attempt to fight the sleep, but the medicine overtakes me. I was diagnosed with scoliosis in early 2021. Scoliosis is any unnatural sideways curvature of the spine. At first, I was not worried about my condition because my pediatrician had stated that there was no way that I would ever need surgery since I was already a teenager and the likely good of curve progression was minute. All was well until I visited an orthopedic surgeon for the first time. This was just months after my initial diagnosis. "We will keep a close eye on the progression of the cure, then make a decision on the best course of action” said the surgeon. Not even a year later, I was being scheduled for spinal fusion surgery to correct what was now severe scoliosis. When the time for my surgery had arrived, I was scared and alone. My boyfriend at the time, my greatest emotional supporter, had left for Army basic training. I wasn't sure how I would go through this moment without him. After a nearly six-hour surgery, I was in the post-surgery intensive care unit. I had a very long recovery ahead of me, one year to be exact. I had to relearn now to sit, stand and walk. The pain was unbearable. but had to push through. In the weeks after my surgery. I had to push myself so very hard to just barely get by. I knew that I couldn't stop. I knew that I had to keep going no matter how hard it became. I am already a full year post operation. Nobody would ever be able to guess that I had a major spinal surgery just twelve months ago. I am entirely independent and stronger than ever. I have chosen to take the nursing school path because I believe that my experiences in being a medically complex child will benefit me greatly in the clinical setting. I will be able to understand patients pain and closely sympathize with them and provide proper care and management in a judgement free zone. Considering that I have been in their shoes nearly my entire life. I will be a successful nurse because I am determined and highly driven to do good for others. I wish to care for patients who are just like me. I am bent, not broken.

To start off, my Barbie dream house is located in my home state, Ohio. While I adore and cherish sunny and sandy beaches, palm trees, and hot weather, I adore and cherish my family even more. The exact location in Ohio, would have to be near Toledo. This is because it is near the college I will be attending. I want to live near my college but not at home because on campus housing was out of my budget because my family is unable to assist me in paying for college. However, I really want to experience the traditional college feel and live on my own. As for the aesthetic of my Barbie Dream House. I would like to go very goth just because of the irony. Just kidding! I would definitely have to chose the standard-pink Barbie aesthetic because it is so unique and would definitely stand out amount other houses in the area. It is only a Dream House after all…so let’s throw in a pool and hot tub! The fabulous feature of my Barbie Dream House include a very large kitchen so that I can have all of my friends and family over to cook delicious meals for. An in home movie theater is a must so that I can watch my favorites on repeat. Also, an indoor Pool for when it’s too cold out to use the outdoor one. You know what? Let’s get wave runners for the pools as well! Last but definitely not least, my Barbie Dream House would have my my great grandfather. As I hear ready to attend college, I wish he was still here to watch me graduate and take on the world.

Bent Not Broken Laying on the operating table in the fridged and bright room, tears falling down my face faster than the speed of light. I am told to keep breathing. but my breaths are shallow and staggered. I was terrified because my life would be forever changed. Before I know it, I attempt to fight the sleep, but the medicine overtakes me. I was diagnosed with scoliosis in early 2021. Scoliosis is any unnatural sideways curvature of the spine. At first, I was not worried about my condition because my pediatrician had stated that there was no way that I would ever need surgery since I was already a teenager and the likely good of curve progression was minute. All was well until I visited an orthopedic surgeon for the first time. This was just months after my initial diagnosis. "We will keep a close eye on the progression of the cure, then make a decision on the best course of action” said the surgeon. Not even a year later, I was being scheduled for spinal fusion surgery to correct what was now severe scoliosis. When the time for my surgery had arrived, I was scared and alone. My boyfriend at the time, my greatest emotional supporter, had left for Army basic training. I wasn't sure how I would go through this moment without him. After a nearly six-hour surgery, I was in the post-surgery intensive care unit. I had a very long recovery ahead of me, one year to be exact. I had to relearn now to sit, stand and walk. The pain was unbearable. but had to push through. In the weeks after my surgery. I had to push myself so very hard to just barely get by. I knew that I couldn't stop. I knew that I had to keep going no matter how hard it became. I am already a full year post operation. Nobody would ever be able to guess that I had a major spinal surgery just twelve months ago. I am entirely independent and stronger than ever. I have chosen to take the nursing school path because I believe that my experiences in being a medically complex child will benefit me greatly in the clinical setting. I will be able to understand patients pain and closely sympathize with them and provide proper care and management in a judgement free zone. Considering that I have been in their shoes nearly my entire life. I will be a successful nurse because I am determined and highly driven to do good for others. I wish to care for patients who are just like me. I am bent, not broken.

Bent not broken Laying on the operating table in the fridged and bright room, tears falling down my face faster than the speed of light. I am told to keep breathing. But my breaths are shallow and staggered. I was terrified, because my life would be forever changed. Before I know it, I attempt to fight the sleep, but the medicine overtakes me. I was diagnosed with scoliosis in early 2021. Scoliosis is unnatural, sideways curvature of the spine. At first, I had no worries, insecurities, or confusion about my condition. My pediatrician stated that there would never be a need for surgery since I was already a teenager and the likelihood of cure progression was almost none. All was well until I visited an orthopedic surgeon, just months after the initial diagnosis. “We’ll keep a close eye on the spinal curve, then make a decision from there” said the surgeon. Not even a year later, I was being scheduled for spinal fusion surgery to correct what was now severe scoliosis. Around the time of scheduling my spine surgery is when I came across a very special website. “Higgy Bears…making scoliosis more BEARable.” As soon as I saw the stuffed animals that were fitted with a scoliosis brace, visible spinal curve, or spinal fusion rods, I knew I had to have ALL of them. I places my first order and once it came, I received a ton of extras in my package. One of the most notable extras was a handwritten letter from the founder, Lauren Higginson. Lauren also has scoliosis and underwent spinal fusion. An additional letter in my package gave information about Lauren’s HiggyBear Ambassador Program. I immediately reached out to her and was given a spot on her ambassador team! Lauren regularly speaks with and supports her ambassadors. I would regularly ask Lauren questions about scoliosis and about spinal fusion and what to expect with my upcoming surgery. I decided to start my own HiggyBear Fundraiser, now that I was an ambassador. The goal of my fundraiser was to collect donations so that I could purchase and donate tons of HiggyBears to for the children’s hospital that I would be having my surgery at. My fundraiser was a hit! I even made the local news for a live interview just a week prior to my spine surgery. Prior to my surgery, I was not self-conscious about my scoliosis. I didn’t necessarily feel different since my abnormalities were hidden inside of my body. However, after my surgery, I was extremely self-conscious and emotionally damaged. My abnormalities were highlighted due to the 28 inch scar that the surgery had left behind. Nonetheless, Lauren was there for me after my surgery just as she was before. Except this time, the whole scoliosis community had my back (pun intended) Lauren helped me to see that I am I am more than my disability. I am more than 2 rods and 20 screws. I am more than my diagnosis. I am more than scoliosis. Lauren helped me overcome my fears and adapt to my new life as a scoliosis warrior. Laren helped me to realize that I am bent, not broken.