Climbing for Curves: Devina's Scoliosis Story

Aged 12, I fell from a ski lift and couldn’t move. Once I finally managed to get down the mountain, as part of the routine checks, I was X-rayed after which the radiographer asked, "Tu sais tu as une scoliose?".. “You know you have Scoliosis?”. That was my diagnosis - alone on a school ski trip in France. Life changed that day.

I’d read books like Deenie and Patty’s Last Dance, never imagining their stories would become my reality. Within weeks, I was in a back brace—23 hours a day. At school, no one really understood what Scoliosis was or what I was going through. In the 1990s, there were no adaptations and little support. My carefree world of wearing crop tops and little dresses faded into the background. I silently pushed through and got on with life as I didn’t know any other way.

At 16, I was permitted to wear my brace at night-time only. A couple of years later I was discharged and told I had avoided major corrective surgery and could "go live life now”. There was no mention of it being a progressive or genetic condition. No mention of how exercise & physio might help. No mention of the need for it to be monitored.

Fast forward 4 years, my back pain started and it has never left. Little did I know my Scoliosis story was only just beginning.

Daily exercise has become my medicine and specialist physios – my support - along with my close family and friends (you know who you are!). Every curve is different, every journey unique and I still do not know what my future holds – major spinal surgery is back on the table with my surgeon. Thirty years on, my journey continues, now also through my daughters.

At just 7 and 9, both of my girls have recently been diagnosed with Scoliosis. My youngest wears her back brace 20hours+ a day. She tries to hide it under her clothes often asking.. "Why me?"

My eldest is being monitored — 100% chance of progression. We’ve turned to Schroth physio and hope that targeted daily exercise will help, but the mental load is heavy and the questions continue.. "What if I don't do my exercises?", "Am I going to end up with pain like you?".

I don't have all the answers. But I do have hope, strength, resilience and a mission to raise awareness and funds to help improve the quality of life of those affected by Scoliosis.

On 28th June 2025, Sudhesh (my incredible husband who has shared this journey with me since my 20s) and I are climbing Mount Snowdon with a number of other Scoli-Warriors. Yes, I’m fit and active but I suffer from chronic pain and some mobility issues, so this will be a huge challenge.. and an even bigger triumph!!

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine. It affects 2-3% of the population, it is more prevalent in girls than boys, and more commonly identified in children between the ages of 10-15 years. It is also under-recognised, under-researched, and underfunded. The UK does not have a routine school-based early screening program like other European countries. Early detection could change lives and prevent major surgery for countless children.

Scoliosis Support & Research (SSR)

All funds raised will go towards Scoliosis Support & Research (SSR) — a charity doing vital work to support families like ours.

Please sponsor me if you can. Every donation helps us move one step closer to early detection, better treatment, and a brighter future for those living with Scoliosis.

With heartfelt thanks,

Devina💚