Brace Yourself!

I've been feeling a little low over the last few days, so I'm doing this post in hope that a bit of irreverent self- mockery will jolt me out of my gloomy mood.
As some of you may know I have a spinal condition called scoliosis; it's a lateral curvature and rotation of the spine. I won't go into the horrors of all the surgery I've had over the years; it's too dull for words, but I did want to do a little piece I am calling, "Orthopedic Fashion Through The Ages."

I suppose I better start with some images that show the results of scoliosis first

This is not my own x-ray, but near enough.

It was 1976 and I was 11 when we first discovered this and I was duly sent off to a children's hospital for non surgical treatment. After being stretched on a rack type contraption (I kid you not!) I was sent home in this:

People...I give you the Milwaukee Brace worn by every spinally challenged adolescent in the 70's.

(This is not me)

I had to wear this from the age of 12 to 16! The most formative years of my life and I looked like a cyborg. It was only my rapidly acquired sense of humour and good right hook that saved me.

My mother, on the other hand was rather pleased. Any burgeoning sexuality was put on hold. It wasn't exactly an alluring look, except to those boys with latent fetishistic tastes! Or so she thought! Ha!

Fast forward a few years to the surgery; my insides look something like this:

But, more importantly, the brace designs had moved on; they were smaller and sleeker and I wanted to get my hands on one!

The Boston Brace

See what I mean? I was 27 at this point so could carry this sexy little thing off with no problems. Unfortunately, I only got to wear it for 3 mths. Medical knowledge had advanced a lot and we were no longer required to wear scaffold like structures for years. Ah well!

After, my final surgery I was given something to wear that I think had been procured in an Adult Shop.

This is me wearing the original. Now, look at the image below and tell me if you can spot the difference? Jo vs Dita Von Teese. At last, disability just got sexy. No more Quasimodo, from now on I can be Esmerelda!

On a serious note, ideopathic scoliosis affects adolescents more frequently than people realise. Boys can have it, but it is more prevalent  in girls, approx. 1 in 30. If you have pre-pubescent children or grandchildren, a simple test will alert you to any possible curvature. (See here) I'm very keen to promote awareness of this condition, so please go to this link if you would like more information. Scoliosis UK

This is me today, the first image is one I steeled myself to show, because I hate the way I look, with scarring and deformity, but that's just how it is.
The second image is by Simon, and I love it because it makes me look and feel good naked.

I may remove this post when I'm appalled at my wallowing of self-pity, but it can stay.......for now.

Sometimes Always

by Simon