Blog to Follow

Guys, check out this scoliosis blog! 13 year old "Dancer Girl" has a really great story and fun posts!

http://scoliosisliving.blogspot.com/

Check-Up!

Hello hello!

I'm just checking in since I haven't posted in a while.

I went to my doctor yesterday for the first time since January - it was pretty scary because we were waiting to see if my spine curvature had stabilized. It was at 31 degrees in January and when I went yesterday...it was still 31! Which was good news, considering I could have been told I needed surgery if it was worse.

I'm not happy with a 31 degree curve, but that's what I've been given. My doctor said that while it's not bad enough to need surgery, it's bad enough to have a lot of backache, well...for the rest of my life.

That's not easy to hear. Honesty, it would have been easier to hear that I need surgery, so that I could feel scared and victimized and cry. But that's not the strong solution, is it? This just means that I need to step up my work to strengthen my spine...because this is the one I've been given, and the only one I'll ever get.

I have a set of stretches I do that are good for my back (and approved by my doctor), so I'll share them here.

1) Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Hold your leg just under your knee and pull your leg up to your chest, with it still bent. Count to 10, then switch to the other leg.

2) Go back to the bent knees, feet flat on the floor position. Stretch one leg straight up and point your toe, holding the back of your thigh with your hands. Do NOT over strain your leg - if you can't go very high, don't worry about it. Count to 10 and then switch to the other leg.

3) Go back to the starting position. Place your arms straight by your side, palms on the ground. Then clench your abs so that your lower back naturally presses evenly against the ground. Hold for 10.

4) Do crunches - however many you can without hurting yourself. Start small and work up.

What NOT to do:
Don't do anything that arches your back a lot, like the cobra position.

Another tip is for sleeping - I always struggle with pain when I try to fall asleep. Sleep on your side and put a small pillow in between your knees. This levels out your pelvis and makes your back straighter. It also provides a lot of relief!

I hope this helps! (Check with your doctor about what's right for your back.)

As always, feel free to comment below or email me at mcbxq43@aol.com!

Winter Weather

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And luckily, wearing oversize sweaters with leggings and boots is in! Big sweaters easily hide all the problem areas, and leggings are stretchy and comfy. Add some cool combat or riding boots, a statement necklace and bag, and no one will ever guess you're anything but fabulous.

I love that last J Crew-ish look with a button down shirt underneath and jeans.

Hope this gives you some inspiration for winter looks! As always, I LOVE hearing from you, so email me anytime! Also, if you'd like to send me a picture of your outfits, I'd love to see what you come up with!

Email change!

Hi guys, I'd like to apologize if you have emailed me since my last post and I haven't responded- I got locked out of my email, and when I just now got back in, it had wiped all my mail. That really upset me because I lost all the wonderful stories you guys had sent me, and that meant so much to me. So I am SO sorry if I didn't respond to you, it's because it got deleted!

So, If you would like to email me, you can still use mcbxq43@aol.com now. Sorry!!

~*~Ava~*~

Tackling Trends: Cutouts

I got a new dress at Target the other day - this one to be exact:

 Except I got it in blue. And I thought...this has a cutout in the back (in the shape of a heart if you can't tell...love it). And it suddenly hit me that the new trend of cutouts simply will not work with a back brace!

But fear not! I've found some pieces that do - like my Target dress for example! The cutout is high enough to hide most braces, and it has a tie waistband and a full skirt...perfect for disguising you-know-what. Get it here: http://www.target.com/p/xhilaration-juniors-heart-cutout-fit-flare-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-14515499#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

 First up, I went to my favorite little store called Forever 21. I couldn't get the picture from the website, but here's the Cross Top on someone else! It comes in gray and white. So just wear a spaghetti strap tank top (in a contrasting color) under it, and you'll look effortlessly cool! I love this girl's styling, too. Although, for a brace-wearer, I would change the leather shorts to looser, frayed denim. Get the shirt here: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=top&ProductID=2074983797&VariantID=

Also F21. It has a peter pan collar. AND cute, wearable cutouts. Just...i want it. Get it here: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=DRESS&ProductID=2045413245&VariantID= (Also, the elastic waistband is perfect, too!)

 So shoulder cutouts are in? Perfect. Use them to your advantage. No brace there! This sweater looks a bit thin, though, so a talk top underneath for extra layering might be a good idea. Get it here: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=sweater&ProductID=2035135413&VariantID=

 

Now I move on to Modcloth.com, where this little dress belongs! It has a cute, modern cutout, while still keeping a classic shape and feminine print. Get it here:  http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/slideshow-and-tell-dress

 That's all for right now (sorry, it's always a bit F21 heavy)...but I'm already thinking of other posts to do about trends! 

As always, please feel free to comment or email me at mcbxq43@aol.com. I usually take a while to answer, but I honestly LOVE hearing from each and every one of you. Thank you all SO much for letting me know that you support and appreciate me and this blog. Your emails and comments honestly bring me to tears, and I'm so happy to be doing something...anything.

Keep your chins up and keep kickin'!

Love love love,
Ava

Scoliosis Talk

I've received a few emails from spinal companies that are interested in my blog, and showing their information. So I'd like to take a step back from fashion for a moment, and look at the medical side of scoliosis, which can be scary and confusing.


The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has sent me a link to their free, live chat with doctors about the options for treating scoliosis. I have not participated in one of these chats, but it seems like it would be a good, simple way to get information, along with other parents and families. Check it out!

https://liveevent.cincinnatichildrensblog.org/events/early-onset-scoliosis

 

Hope's Closet

Here's a cool website for buying shirts to go under your brace! It's got personal stories, photos, and even a design contest!
I always love seeing girls make their own website or blog about scoliosis. It's the best way to help each other out :)

http://www.hopescloset.com/

Store Style #1...

I had the idea that I might go store-by-store and post clothes from stores that I like that you can wear with a back brace!
Let's start with my favorite, Forever 21....

The key to dresses is to have a full skirt and a defined waist line.

Shirts need to be a little loose at the bottom, and they need to be high enough to cover the top of your brace. The second top (the mint green one) might need a sweater over it, just for more security).

Skirts need, like dresses, to be full (meaning they're pleated, or flowy...in other words NOT skin tight), and they need a belt or elastic waistband usually. They shouls hug your waist right above where your brace hips are.

Shorts need to be a size or two above what you usually wear, and should be loose. You can wear tight shorts, but you'll want a long shirt to cover them up!

I hope this helps! All of these clothes are available from Forever 21's website or store:

forever21.com



Another Scoliosis Blog to Follow!

A girl named Ellen commented on my last post and said she started her own scoliosis blog! She has some cute outfits posted, so go check it out

thebracekase.blogspot.com

~*~Ava~*~

To All the Girls Like Me

Hello, everyone!

I received a few emails recently from some very sweet girls saying that this blog has helped them and inspired them, and I really can't say how much that means to me!

I haven't posted in a while because of the usual busy life stuff. But I definately do plan to keep posting, because scoliosis is still a part of me, and always will be.

I want all of you to know that you are not alone. And that hearing from you reminds me that I'm not alone either.

It's been a few years since my brace, and I'm ending my junior year of high school soon. I think it's time to show you who I am now - and how scoliosis has shaped me (haha no pun intended).

So here are a few pictures of my style now :)

So there you have it! Me, past the brace. :)

Honestly, without scoliosis, I would not have been interested in fashion. But now I love it, and want to pursue a career in it.

Things happen for a reason - God works in mysterious ways.

Please feel free to email me anytime or leave comments, and tell me what you want me to post! :)

~*~Ava~*~

Fashion Inspiration!

Hello! I just emailed a girl some pictures of outfits that she wanted advice on, so I thought I'd share some new fashion ideas.


The scarf and jacket over a simple, fairly loose shirt is simple and fashionable.




I just bought a cape similar to this at Modcloth, and just realized how perfect - and on trend - it would be for a brace! Just wear a long sleeved shirt underneath, and pair it with jeans and cute boots! There would be no sign of the brace at all.


Wear this loose tank over a tight one, add some long necklaces, a big ring, and jean shorts. Viola.
     Remember that not everything has to be loose - you can show off your waist with tops and dresses that are cinched in the middle. Trust me, people aren't looking to see if you have a brace. It's the last thing on their mind.
     Sometimes certain outfits don't work out, but keep looking! Get out there and find your own style. Because of scoliosis, I want to major in fashion in college. Everything happens for a reason.
     Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Another Cool Scoliosis Blog

Here's an up-and-coming scoliosis help blog: 

 http://plastic-corset.blogspot.com/

Margaret's got some awesome outfits and posts, so go check out her blog! :)

Fashion Feature: Jeans

~*~Jeans!~*~

This is basically what my jeans look like! They're Opal Low Rise Jeans from Charlotte Russe. They're pretty low on my waist, but they worked with my brace well. Low rise jeans are probably the best choice for a brace. The only problem I had was that if I bent straight over, the back of my jeans would pop under my brace.

They fit me really well, and I still wear them! As long as I had a shirt that was long enough to cover the back, I was fine.  

 

Flare, Bootcut, Skinny... it shouldn't make a difference. It's only the very top that matters! The rest can look however you want. 

What NOT to wear:

Jeggings! These would make it sooo much easier to see your brace. (And they're not very flattering anyway.)

Nicole Marquez - True Inspiration

Nicole Marquez is a dancer from Mississippi who was living in New York until she accidentally fell 6 floors outside her apartment, and wasn't discovered for days. She came to speak to my school last year. Some teachers knew her, and we had all been praying for her for months.

When she spoke at out school, I was amazed at her absolute determination to get her life back.

Here's her amazing story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThCK-93wAME

Good News!

     A few days ago, I went in to my doctor for my four-month check-up like usual. I had been wearing my brace 8 hours a day (so I just slept in it). My back had been really sore lately, so I was expecting to be told I would have to wear the brace full time again. 

     But instead, he told me that I was done with the brace. For good.

     So, I'm out of my brace!!!!! I got it a month before 8th grade, and got it off four months into 10th grade. That's about two years with a scoliosis back brace. When I got the news, I just couldn't stop smiling.

     It's been hard. I've cried a lot and I've gotten angry, but I've also smiled and been thankful. I believe that God only puts us in situations that we have the strength to handle. And I have proven to myself that I have the strength to handle scoliosis and all that comes with it.  Here are a few things I've learned and would like to pass on to you:
     1.) Walk with confidence. You are you, and if anyone has a problem with that, well, screw them. They can just deal with it, can't they? ;)
     2.) Listen to people when they tell you about their problems. Relate them to yours. You'll understand them better.
     3.) Let scoliosis make you better. Kind of an oxymoron, but if you let it bring you down, it's not your back that's failed you, it's your heart.
     4.) Learn to appreciate hugging people. And dancing like a lunatic. And simply standing up. 
     5.) Don't hold yourself in. Don't let emotions build up inside of you. If you are feeling bad, talk to someone. Find that one best friend (of group of friends) that you know will listen, and at least try to understand. 

     I will keep posting on this blog, because scoliosis is still a part of me. And just because I love doing it. If you ever want to talk, please email me! I would LOVE to hear from you!!

~*~Ava~*~ 

BoA

Singer/Dancer from Korea, BoA...I love her songs and videos, and when I came across this one, I realized that she's pretty much wearing a corset in this video, and still looks AWESOME dancing! If only I could look half that good even without my brace... :)
Enjoy the random video!
BoA Energetic

Keeping It Secret

Once again, Colee asked a great question that should be answered for everyone: How do you explain your brace to someone who hugs you and (usually VERY loudly) says "WHAT'S THAT?" (It's kind of funny how it happens exactly the same way every time. Their eyes get wide, they cock their heads to one side, they start to poke your brace, and then say it.)
Trust me, I've had to deal with this a lot. And it's usually been in a room filled with people that I don't want to know about my brace.
So, what do you do? I usually just shake my head and say "I'll tell you later," quietly. They'll get the message from your expression and tone of voice and nod and leave you alone. But after class or wherever it happened I pull them aside and say, "It's a back brace I have to wear for a while. I didn't tell you in there because I don't really want a lot of people to know. So could you please not tell anyone?"
Most people will apologize and not bring it up again. But then there are the people who think it's cool that you get to wear a plastic corset all the time, and they'll drum on it, or poke you, or say things like "Hey come feel Ava's rock hard abs...haha...plastic hard!" and totally put you in an awful situation. With these kind of people, you have to make it very clear that scoliosis is not some fun, easy thing, and they're offending you.
I'd like to say that after 2 years of wearing a back brace everywhere (I wear it 8 hours a day now), no one knew about it except my friends, family, and people that asked because of hugging, etc. It did not become a widely known fact around school, which was my goal.
One thing to remember when people ask you endless questions about your brace is that they just don't know. They're probably not trying to be mean or nosy, they're just curious and ignorant about it. I found that you have to kind of treat them like kindergarteners, you know? Always asking questions. And you have to be the kind, patient adult that explains everything in a simple way. :)

Colee's Comment

Colee commented on "Fashion Feature: Ruffled Skirts" asking how to get clothes for less money. I am on a budget for clothing too, because I usually pay for them myself (and I don't get an allowance). I usually shop at Charlotte Russe, an awesome store that has sales and inexpensive clothes all the time. I also shop at Rue 21, which has even more inexpensive clothes...they have $10, $8, and $3 sale racks! I've read about and seen online how cool Forever 21 is. My friend told me that she went to a Forever 21 and a whole floor was filled with $10 clothes. Sadly, we don't have one where i live :(. I also got some hand-me-downs from my cousin, like those blue shorts I'm wearing with the peasant blouse in the pictures. If you take time to look, thrift stores and second-hand stores have some finds too. I shop at Dillard's, Penney's, Wal-Mart... I'm always looking for sales and clearance items.
I hope this helped, Colee! Good luck at school!
~*~Ava~*~

www.charlotterusse.com
www.rue21.com
www.forever21.com

Underneath

Under my brace I wear Jockey camisoles this these:

They're smooth and stretchy and don't wrinkle under the brace.

For underwear, I had to get lowrise panties because anything else would get stuck under the edges of my brace.

Outfits

(wearing: Charlotte Russe rugby top and skinny jeans)

(wearing: Dillard's dress, sweater, Charlotte Russe necklace)

(wearing: Walmart dress, Ann Taylor jacket,Gianni Bini heels)

(wearing: Charlotte Russe blouse and tank top, my cousin's old shorts)