LEAH STOLTZ
- FOUNDER & PRESIDENT Of CURVY GIRLS SCOLIOSIS SUPPORT GROUPS
When first diagnosed, Leah recalls feeling very alone – she did not know anyone else who wore a brace or even had scoliosis.
She ultimately met three other female patients and invited them for discussion about bracing and how to fashionably style them. What she gained from that interaction was a sense of community.
She continued to meet with other girls with scoliosis the first Sunday of every month in her home. This group of women called themselves Curvy Girls and those meetings have expanded to become an international support network of girls.
When her curve continued to progress in spite of bracing, Leah underwent spinal fusion. During her recovery, she focused on healing physically, including learning how to rebalance her body. She worked to get back to dance classes and reclaim her spot on her varsity golf team. Establishing her new routine was emotionally taxing, but she ultimately found firmer footing with the help of friends, family, and trained professionals.
Convinced her life would look incredibly different than how it is now, Leah understands the impact having scoliosis has had on the trajectory of her life. She credits her ability to overcome adversity to how she learned to cope with her condition. Initially she struggled emotionally and physically with having scoliosis but has strengthened herself and now takes pride in having inspired 90 support chapters in 35 states and 14 countries. Leah’s personal hopes for the treatment of spine deformity center around strengthening the communication between patient and support resources.
Leah advises young girls in the situation she once was to be more accepting of having scoliosis and wearing a brace. As an adolescent, she felt very negative about her spine but now feels if she had been less so, others would not have echoed her shameful thoughts. Now, Leah finds herself as an outgoing, outspoken, and freethinking person who welcomes new adventures and challenges.
