The brace—which she wore most of the time when she was not at practice or at a swim meet—enabled Ellie to continue swimming, as well as to compete in other sports and social activities, while preventing her curve from getting worse.
“She’s an athlete; she’s a swimmer,” her mom sums up, “—and she’s still swimming!”
For Ellie, the brace has done its work well, as time has confirmed. Now a high school sophomore at age 16, Ellie is 5’7 .” tall, and has largely reached her growth ceiling and passed the threat of further curvature affecting an unsupported spine. So, in February, the brace was shed like a chrysalis, and Ellie is enjoying her new freedom. After several months without it, Heather reports, Ellie’s curve measured 21 degrees, which is good news.
She continues to swim competitively—and very successfully!
“She’s done phenomenally well,” says Heather, who points out that since coming out of her brace, Ellie has also dealt with a severe concussion, a lingering bronchial infection, and a lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery—which have effectively benched her from swimming for many months.
Nonetheless, she has competed at the state level and qualified for USA Swimming Speedo Sectionals,—and looks forward to significant advancement in the future.
Her mom’s advice to other parents facing a scoliosis diagnosis for their children?
“One thing is not to read too much online, because there’s different research about how quickly the curve progresses—I got myself into trouble by doing that. It’s really scary. Listen to your doctor—and find out if the Wilmington Brace is available and appropriate for your child. I’m completely biased—because I saw what it did for Ellie.”
