Scolios and a back brace....and afraid?

Question

im 14 and i have a back brace for scoliosis. ive had it since i was in the 7th grade(brothers birthday) and since then it has driven me crazy! i am very self- concious about it and afraid to even let my best friends know. im just afraid that they would call me a freak or make fun of me. i dont let ppl at school get close because im afraid they might accidentally touch me and find out. i am so sick of it, having to wear it all day and to sleep at night. can u plz help me on how to increase my confidence and help me get comfortable in the brace? thankyou so much

Answer 1

sweetie, you have to remember why you have it. it's going to help your confidence in the long run. think about how bad your back could get w/o it. when i was in high school a girl i knew had to wear a brace for the same reason only hers was visible and had a chin rest. it was cumbersome but w/o it, she'd have never stood straight in her life. i never knew of anyone who made fun. it was just..her. her friends were still her friends and accepted her the way she was. those that might make fun are those that don't understand. always consider the source of such remarks. stand tall hon.one day, you'll appreciate the fact that the medical community is able to do this.

Answer 2

If the brace is making you uncomfortable because it's rubbing your skin or something, try wearing a thin T-shirt underneath it. As for being self-conscious, it's not as big a deal as you think; you may actually know someone else who also has a brace and not even know it. You may feel better if you do tell your friends about it. Just tell them you have a back problem (if they don't already know, that is) and you have to wear the brace. People are more understanding about these things than you may think. When you're dealing with other people that you think will make fun of you, you can either tell them the truth if you feel comfortable doing so, or you can make a joke about it, like saying it's a corset ("just gotta maintain that figure!") or that it's armor. Seriously, it's a lot bigger deal to you than it is to anyone else, keep that in mind.

Answer 3

Your first concern is for your health. Yeah, you don't want to hear that at your age, but believe me when I say you need to listen to your doctor. My mother is 85 and has double-scoliosis. She has to take pain medication daily to be able to move and walk.

Secondly, you are the only person who can cause your confidence to increase. I could tell you to ignore anything your classmates might say. They are so immature at this age. But you're living in the middle of teenage angst and immaturity. It's hard when you want to be like everyone else. But realize that many of your peers have challenges also...braces, diabetes, epilepsy, dysfunctional families, pregnant sisters, druggie brothers, on and on...

Most of these challenges are not visible and the child works hard at keeping his or her problem under cover.

Hold your head up high and be a friend. That's the best advice I can give you.

Answer 4

There is nothing freakish about having scoiosis. Tell one of your closest friends, but don't make it a big deal. Just be matter of fact about it. I know it is difficult, it makes you feel so different from your friends, but I bet you have several who wear braces for teeth straightening. If anyone does find out, just respond as though wearing the brace is the most natural thing in the world.

Answer 5

I am now not petrified of hamburger however frequently a sausage scares the heck out of me and I retreat to my quiet little shelter right here within the woods in which I can consume a sweet bar whilst the sector will get to be TOO so much.