Eccentricities of a Wisconsin gal living in Jersey
Yesterday was my 23rd spinal fusion-versary. Twenty-three years of living with rods on my spine, holding it straight, keeping the scoliosis curves at bay. While it all seems like a lifetime ago, not a day goes by where I’m not reminded of what I went through—and that, despite surgery, I still have scoliosis. I don't mean... Continue Reading →
When I was young, I always thought it’d be funny if I ever lived in New Jersey. Why? My initials are NJ. I never pictured myself living in New Jersey—I didn’t have any particular place in mind to live post-college, to be honest. I went where various internships and jobs took me. But if you’d... Continue Reading →
When my husband and I found out we were expecting a baby girl earlier this year, a lot of questions began popping into my head, as I’m sure they do for many first-time parents. Mostly the questions centered around how my back—scoliosis, spinal fusion, and all—would handle the changes my body was about to experience.... Continue Reading →
With each passing year since my spinal fusion (yesterday marks 22!) new aches occasionally pop up reminding me that, while I had corrective surgery, scoliosis is still very much present in my body—and always will be. I’m aware of the usual culprits by now: discomfort on my left side where my upper curve lingers, a... Continue Reading →
The sun rose slowly over a vast deserted parking lot, its rays timidly peeking through stoic willow trees whose branches dangled quietly amidst the early morning revelry. Humidity cloaked hundreds of runners as they shuffled along the road, their breath ever so slightly visible in the chill of the morning’s air. Just beyond the incline... Continue Reading →
This past Wednesday, I did a big thing: I completed my master’s project for grad school. What a feat! I wrote a 7,500 word story—the longest piece of writing I’ve ever done—on scoliosis and body image. Would it surprise you to learn that I’ve never actually written about the two together before? True story. I... Continue Reading →
I always reflect on my scoliosis journey on this day—my spinal fusion anniversary. I've been incredibly lucky to do and accomplish so many things over the past 21 years, from running marathons to working as a Disney character to embracing my inner woman of steel and start strength training. And all with metal rods flanking... Continue Reading →
It's hard to think about what your life will look like in 20 years when you're a 15-year-old with severe scoliosis who's about to go into a life-altering surgery and is more concerned with what your high school basketball career will look like than the road further ahead. But lo and behold, here we are:... Continue Reading →
To add to the ever-growing echo on the interwebs, 2020 was a year unlike anyone could have imagined. When Connor and I got married, we had no idea that barely 4 months later—and en route back to the United States from our honeymoon in New Zealand—we'd be entering into a weeks-long stay-at-home order and working... Continue Reading →
Tall Girl in a Small State 