TAMPA, Fla. – June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month and Tampa resident Melissa Gonzalez, 19, is doing her best to share her story to try to inspire others with the debilitating disease.
After struggling with the physical disorder and the emotional duress her scoliosis created for more than six years, Gonzalez underwent spinal surgery in 2015 at the Children’s Scoliosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa.
Since then, she graduated from Tampa Catholic High School, won a state dance championship, won runner-up for the Miss Florida preliminary pageant, and enrolled at USF Honors College, where she is a second-year veteran of the USF Sundolls Dance Team and is now studying to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, so she can help others with the disease.
In addition, she continues to try to tell her story of recovery to encourage those who may be experiencing the same things she went through, especially children.
“Scoliosis is not only a physical disorder, but it becomes an emotional problem, as well. Depression is an unfortunate side-effect of having scoliosis,” Gonzalez said. “Because the diagnosis of scoliosis is typically made between the ages of 10 and 15, when body image and self-esteem are somewhat fragile, the patients can become depressed. I want to encourage them and let them know recovery is possible.”
As a result, Gonzalez believes more can be done to eliminate the myths surrounding scoliosis and help patients who are afraid to face bracing and surgery, and her doctor agrees.
After
“There have been incredible breakthroughs in medical technology and
Before
those living with scoliosis have very real options for treatment,” said Dr. David Siambanes, director of the Children’s Scoliosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, and the surgeon who performed Gonzalez’s life-changing surgery. “Melissa’s story is wonderful and unique, but recovery results like hers are increasingly more common, where most patients are able to experience a normal life after treatment.”
According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, scoliosis affects up to three percent of the U.S. population, rounding out at approximately seven million people nationwide, but there is hope.
“Through the surgical skill of my surgeon, Dr. Siambanes, scoliosis is no longer an issue for me. My surgery was a success, and I have no restrictions,” Gonzalez said. “My hope is that through awareness and further understanding of this condition, that it will begin to minimize the emotional impact on children.”
Most importantly, proper and early diagnosis are key to successful treatment, according to Siambanes. Parents should make sure their children are seen regularly by their family doctor for checkups.
The most common signs of scoliosis are uneven shoulders or different shoulder blade heights, as well as the head being slightly off-center from the pelvis.
