Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 25, 2017 News
By Sharmain Grainger
For some people, not being able to have their way in a single day is enough for them to deduce that the Supreme Being has neglected them. But imagine learning at a very tender age that you have a deformity, due to no fault of your own, that you would probably have to live with for the rest of your life. Imagine it would cause you to be looked at, at times, with disdain or even pity and even worse, you are sometimes ridiculed.
Among those who understand this all too well is 19-year-old Gabrielle McKenzie of Annandale, East Coast Demerara. At the tender age of seven, Gabrielle was diagnosed with Scoliosis. Scoliosis, according to medical experts, is the abnormal lateral curvature of the spine in which there is a sideways curve of the spine, or backbone. Curves are often S-shaped or C-shaped.
Gabrielle, who was diagnosed with an S-shaped curve, said that she was told that she developed the condition because it was in her genes. At least two other family members were diagnosed with scoliosis too. Theirs, however, present in barely noticeable forms. Gabrielle’s case has been classified as severe and although she would have much rather not be so afflicted, she has certainly not been wallowing in self-pity.
AWARENESS
She has over the years tried to find out as much as she can about the condition to educate herself.
“If you look at someone’s back, you’ll see that the spine runs straight down the middle but when a person has scoliosis their backbone curves to the side. You probably don’t look directly at too many spines, but what you might notice about someone with scoliosis is the way they stand. They may lean a little, or have shoulders or hips that look uneven,” Gabrielle explained.
Several medical experts have concluded that in most people there is no known cause for the curve.
In fact, reports suggest that “in as many as 80 percent of cases, doctors don’t find the exact reason for a curved spine.” Moreover, scoliosis without a known cause is referred to as “idiopathic.”
This is in fact believed to be the most common type of scoliosis in children between the ages of 10 and 12 and in their early teens – the age when they are expected to grow fast. Medical experts have observed that while both genders can have scoliosis, girls are more likely than boys to have the idiopathic type.
Since scoliosis can run in families, it is recommended that a child who has a parent or sibling with idiopathic scoliosis, have regular checkups by a medical practitioner.
A diagnosis for scoliosis is done through a physical examination and by imaging techniques such as x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
The effects of living with scoliosis can be different for each person, since not everyone experiences the same side effects and symptoms from scoliosis.
Scoliosis can sometimes be associated with headaches and pain in the neck, back, hip, knee, and/or leg. Nerve pain is also not uncommon in people with scoliosis, and the condition can even contribute to problems with breathing or sleeping. Some patients with scoliosis may experience problems with digestion, and there are reports that suggest that the condition is also associated with irregularities in the menstrual cycles of females.
Essentially, scoliosis can cause limitations and difficulties with daily activities, such as walking, lifting, and exercising, and these problems tend to show up later in life, particularly with more severe cases. However, even mild cases of scoliosis can reduce the body’s ability to perform at its full athletic potential, some medical experts have deduced.
Gabrielle has had first-hand experience of living with the effects of severe scoliosis.
SURGERY
The condition for Gabrielle had placed immense physical limitations upon her entire existence.
“Sitting for too long was uncomfortable, standing for too long was comfortable, and I have had shortness of breath, tremendous back pain, and even wearing certain clothing was uncomfortable,” she related.
In fact, she recalled that it was sometime after her diagnosis that her curve even started to progress into a 180-degree angle and this resulted in her having to do major spinal fusion surgery in August 2015.
Doctors can use surgery to correct a curve or stop it from getting worse when the person is still growing, if the curve is severe, or if the curve is getting worse. Surgery often involves fusing together two or more bones in the spine. The doctor may also implant a metal rod or other device which remains in the body and helps keep the spine straight after surgery. Doctors may even advise wearing a brace to stop a curve from getting worse. However, bracing may be used when a person is still growing and has a moderate curve, reports suggest.
Gabrielle’s surgery was conducted overseas, but because there were some complications she still has a noticeable curve. Added to this, the complications have resulted in her recovery taking a bit longer than it should. As such, Gabrielle is still recovering, but hopes to completely regain her strength to walk at a regular pace and be completely independent through physical therapy.
She had started therapy at the Ministry of Public Health’s Rehabilitation Department situated at the Brickdam, Georgetown Palms Geriatric Home, but she is currently getting therapeutic support at home.
REFLECTION
Reflecting on her childhood and teenage years, Gabrielle confided that although making friends was not an issue, the daily stares, insults and mockery from strangers as she walked by, and from children at the schools she attended, was sometimes too much to bear. But according to her, “great friends and a very supportive and loving family always made my days better.”
Gabrielle attended St. Agnes Primary and Christ Church Secondary. In her quest to learn of ways to overcome her condition, she also opted to enroll into the Medical Rehabilitation programme at the University of Guyana. However, due to the surgery she underwent, she was forced to stop her studies.
“I have been through all the misery, challenges and many treatments of having scoliosis and I wish for no other girl to experience what I have been through,” said Gabrielle. Although physically limited, Gabrielle is perhaps one of the most proactive persons you would ever meet.
EMPOWERMENT
In order to ensure that other girls suffering from scoliosis are able to find support, Gabrielle decided to form a group to help empower them.
In August 2016, Guyana became a part of the Curvy Girls Scoliosis Support Network after Gabrielle decided to become a Curvy Girl Leader.
Curvy Girls is a network of peer-led support groups that reduce the emotional impact of scoliosis by empowering girls through mutual support and acceptance to become leaders, make healthy lifestyle choices, and improve self-esteem. The network was founded in 2006 by Leah Stoltz of the United States and in 2009, the group became international. It currently has 86 chapters in 12 countries around the world.
“I just sent a message to the founder in the USA and I went through the process to become a Curvy Girl leader,” said Gabrielle of joining the network.
According to Gabrielle, she decided to form the Curvy Girls Scoliosis group here because she is convinced that scoliosis is pretty much overlooked in Guyana.
The local Curvy Girl Group currently has about eight members drawn from the East Coast of Demerara and Georgetown. Meetings are held once monthly at a Public Road, Kitty, Georgetown venue, but according to Gabrielle, “while there are discussions on topics and concerns regarding scoliosis, sessions are sometimes not just about chatting only, because they can get physical as well.”
Besides having monthly meetings in the various chapters led by the Curvy Girl leaders, Gabrielle disclosed that every two years during Scoliosis Awareness Month there is a convention in the US, where Curvy Girls from around the world meet and spend a few days interacting through workshops, sharing their stories, and having fun empowering each other.
Scoliosis Awareness Month is June. Moreover, the next convention is slated for June of next year and Gabrielle, along with a few members of her group, will surely be in attendance to learn about the breakthroughs in the treatment of scoliosis and other related topics.
In the meantime, Gabrielle’s goal for the local arm is “to have a group of girls who share one thing in common, that is, supporting each other through their scoliosis journey, who are well knowledgeable of taking care of their spine, who are self-confident and strong enough to face the challenges of having scoliosis, and who will never let having scoliosis define who they are”.
The group also embraces the slogan “Got Scoliosis? You’re not alone!”
Those desirous of joining the group or learning more about it can easily contact Gabrielle on telephone number [592] 689-1663 or email her at: [email protected].
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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