Hi, my name is Kate and I will be running the Great North Run 2026 to raise money for spinal research!

My journey with scoliosis has encouraged me to raise money with Spinal Research.

My twin sister (Lucy) and I were initially diagnosed with scoliosis in 2018, our initial treatment was using plastic back braces to mould our bodies into place to stop progression of our spinal curve.

Back braces have to be worn for long periods of time (16-24 hours) meaning many years of secondary school were experienced like this. However, following more progression of our curvature in December 2019 we were told we would require surgery to correct this.

The initial surgery was scheduled for March of 2020, then COVID hit. After 3 months of the specialist nurse and the surgeons fighting our case for the operation it was finally scheduled for the end of July 2020.

I can still remember Lucy going in first for the operation, the nurses trying to distract me as best they could. Throughout the day Mum and I walked around the hospital trying to stay busy. When she eventually came out it was a relief, everything went well! But then I had to go next, a lot of it was a blur (verryyy strong pain meds) but I eventually came through the other side.

Recovery was long, with the journey of having to re-learn how to walk, balancing the transition back to school with restrictions being lifted life was only slightly back to normal.

We have since made swift recoveries and are endeavouring to look after our bodies. It has proved to the both of us how incredible the human body is! A way I have been looking after mine is through running, by doing the Great North Run I am supporting research for other people with spinal issues so that one day they recover like my sister and I have.