Joxel Baez
- Scoliosis Advocate
Joxel Baez admits to feeling nervous and a bit scared when, at age 17, he was diagnosed with scoliosis as he did not know what the condition was.
After researching, he learned more about the condition and realized that it explained the pain he was experiencing in his back. Before moving from Mexico to the United States, Joxel worked with his body a lot, often moving and carrying heavy items. His older family and community members would try to warn him to be careful in how he lifted as he could develop back problems, but Joxel felt he was invincible because he was still young.
After having surgery to align his spine, Joxel feels there is always something to be thankful for because living is a blessing.
“I can deal with pain better now and I’m also learning about my body because after you get surgery your whole-body changes.”
He would still like to see his scapula get aligned as he doesn’t like how, because of scoliosis, it pokes out, however he is happy to be taller and he does not see scoliosis as his greatest obstacle. By the time Joxel discovered his spinal curvature, he had already learned to overcome many challenges in his young life
“My biggest obstacle was moving to a new country — because it’s a different everything.”
He shared that it was hard learning a different language with different humor, but he feels there is something positive in every experience. He has enjoyed meeting new people and discovering a new culture.
Joxel’s advice to his younger self would be, “Try to show off by lifting heavy things and just enjoy life.
