Aligned Together is mentorship program started in Austin, TX that empowers kids and teens with scoliosis by pairing them with young mentors who have walked the same path—offering strength, confidence, and support through every stage of diagnosis and treatment.
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Meet Lauren
Meet Lauren
Hi. My name is Lauren. I was diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis when I was 11 years old. I was in the 5th grade at the time, and an active gymnast, cheerleader, dancer, and a generally all-around physically active preteen.
When I was first diagnosed with scoliosis, it was recommended that I wear a Rigo-Cheneau Brace around 16-18 hours a day. Being as physically active as I was, I couldn't imagine hard plastic preventing me from moving freely. That said, I did it. I wore the brace non-stop for 2 years - I wore it eating, sleeping, to school....you name it. But, for those precious brace-free hours of the day, you better believe that I was jumping, tumbling, and dancing.
Even though my spine continued to curve during those two years of wearing the brace, we were hopeful that it was slowed enough that no further treatment might be needed. To stay healthy, I continued to be super active. I did lots of yoga, Pilates, and even spent some time learning the Schroth Method for my spine. With the clearance of my doctor, I continued to tumble and even danced many hours a day on my high school drill team.
Over the next couple of years, my body started to push back on me. My back was hurting more, my hips were hurting, and I was even struggling with breathing. I could tell my back was still changing and that my body's mobility, and even my lung function was being effected. Being a dancer, this was really hard to admit. I got new x-rays, and it was clear that I needed surgery, as my spine was at almost 60 degree Cobb angle.
On June 30, 2025, at sixteen years old, I had spinal fusion. I was fused from my thoracic 3 vertebrae to my lumbar 3 vertebrae. In total, I now have 13 fused vertebrae, two rods, and 26 screws in my back.
It's been 6 months since my surgery and I am half way through my junior year of high school. My body is different, but my mind is stronger. I am still dancing, moving and being physical as much as possible. What I can and can't do physically has changed, but I am more interested than ever before to pursue the medical field in college.
I have learned a lot through this journey, and I know that any and every stage can be scary, painful, frustrating---so many things. But we want you to know that you have someone to talk to. You're not alone - we're aligned together.
pre-surgery
pre-surgery
post-surgery
post-surgery
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