Changing for Gym

[Balletgirl77]

Ok, so this year they are changing it at my school and we will have to change clothes for gym class. I wear a boston brace and I'm sort of scared that people will see my brace when I take it off for gym class, I really don't want to be made fun of because last year when I was adjusting my brace in the bathroom a girl saw and said "What did you do brake your neck or something?" I was going to explain but then she left. Now I'm really scared because shes going to be in my gym class!!!! Is there anything I could say to anyone who asks?

[Ballerina]

Simply tell them you have something called scoliosis. If they asked for details, tell them your back curves and you need this to make sure it stays straight.

This is something you must live with. Don't hide it, it's part of your identity. You will live a miserable life if you don't accept this.

[scoliosisat12]

when i change out and into my brace for gym i go into a bathroom or into a back hall with my friend j. my teachers under stand if im late talk to your gym teacher about changing they'll understand every thing!

[~ScoliosisGirl~]

yes its verrryyyy true! i agree with ballerina 100%
"This is something you must live with. Don't hide it, it's part of your identity. You will live a miserable life if you don't accept this."
and sooner or later all your friends will know.. so dont make it bigger than it is.. cuz then when your friends will know.. they will think.. oooo omg! i feel soooo bad for her.. look what she has! and if only 1 person knows or will know.. they will start telling every1 and ur friends will start talking behind you back and then you wont know what to do! u shouldnt be embarressed the later your friends will know the more of stress you will have in your mind..

[chic xx chic]

i take my brace off in the nurses office. theres like rooms in there.
no one notices. and im always late for gym so i change for it by myself. =P

[~ScoliosisGirl~]

good idea !! i never thought of that.. lol.. except for the part that now i dont really care if my friends see it since most of them know that i have a brace..but i think its a very good idea for u Katie!!

[harmoniesdj]

Don't hide. I used to change in a bathroom stall, cover the brace with my clothes & always be late for gym class. I was so shy about my brace & thought I did a good job of hiding it. Then at my 20th high school reunion, classmates asked me how I was doing with my scoliosis. I was shocked. They said everyone knew. It was because I was secretive that they wanted to know what I was hiding....can't keep secrets from kids!

So my advice is to be an advocate educating our youth about scoliosis and bringing disability out of the closet. I know at your age this might seem an overwhelming challenge....esp. since you want to fit in with your classmates. But what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!! You can tell your classmates about the famous, successful people who have scoliosis & that you are like them too. No one can intimidate you without your permission. Be the strong, courageous young woman that you are.

Good luck & God bless. Cynthia (an old lady w/scoliosis who remembers what it was like at your age)