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Living with Scoliosis: My Journey as a Zambian Mother

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June is Scoliosis Awareness Month; and today, on International Scoliosis Awareness Day; June 26, I am choosing to share a story that is deeply personal to me. A story not just about the condition itself, but also about love, sacrifice, resilience, and the urgent need for awareness in Zambia. First, in case you may not know what Scoliosis is; let me try to explain it simply. Scoliosis is a medical condition where the spine curves sideways, often in an "S" or "C" shape. While it can develop at any age, it most commonly appears in children and adolescents during growth spurts. The severity can vary from mild cases requiring monitoring, to cases that are more serious where one may need bracing or even surgery. Scoliosis can affect posture, movement, breathing, and most importantly, confidence; especially in young children navigating their way through school and social life. When my daughter was 2 year’s old she diagnosed with scoliosis, I entered a world I knew ...
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The other side of things.....

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   We celebrated her fourth birthday in October; the year hasn’t been without its challenges. You see, my daughter at four has speech delay, she also has scoliosis. The usual challenges of parenting are compounded for parents and primary caregivers of children with special needs. Some of the many challenges include learning about the disability; researching, locating and accessing effective treatments and resources; Coping with the emotional and physical demands of caring for an individual with a disability; Getting to the innumerable appointments with medical providers, therapists, advocates,  and school personnel; Advocating for appropriate school interventions, accommodations, and/or placements; Paying for the many treatments and interventions not covered by health insurance or the school system There is also Stress that comes with this;  the burden of stress is big for parents of those with special needs.  Finances are often a source of stress. As a parent o...
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