From Patient to Advocate: One Student's Mission to Promote Scoliosis Awareness

By Carine Hayes '27

What began as a personal passion project during my sophomore year has continued to grow into something much bigger. After being diagnosed with severe scoliosis myself from very early detection, I realized the importance of awareness and screenings. 

I was blessed to have treatment options instead of instant surgery due to the screening my pediatrician gave me pre-puberty. In early 2025, I partnered with Nemours Children's Hospital and the National Scoliosis Foundation to educate students about the importance of early detection and treatment. Through this initiative, I created and distributed scoliosis awareness pamphlets and bracelets at the MAIT tournament and Night for the Cure, encouraging students and families to recognize the signs of scoliosis and understand the value of routine screenings.

As part of the next chapter of this project, I had the opportunity to interview Joshua Krispin, Sports Medicine Coordinator and Athletic Trainer at Nemours Children's Hospital. Our conversation focused on why scoliosis awareness remains so important and how early detection can dramatically change a patient's outcome. One of the biggest takeaways from our discussion was the importance of screening children before and during their rapid growth years. Krispin explained that routine scoliosis screenings should begin around ages 8 to 10 and continue annually throughout adolescence, especially for children with a family history of scoliosis. Because spinal curves often progress during periods of rapid growth, identifying scoliosis early allows physicians to monitor changes before the condition becomes severe. His message strongly resonated with my own experience. That early diagnosis allowed me to continue participating in the activities I loved while managing my condition through treatment.

Krispin also explained the two most common forms of scoliosis treated at Nemours. Neuromuscular scoliosis is associated with underlying medical conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy and often requires surgery due to continued curve progression. The more common form, idiopathic scoliosis, has no known cause but can often be managed successfully through regular monitoring and bracing if detected early.

According to Krispin, patients diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis are typically monitored every four to six months with X-rays to track any progression. If the spinal curve reaches approximately 25 degrees while the patient is still growing, bracing is often recommended to slow the progression and reduce the likelihood of surgery. He also discussed emerging scoliosis-specific physical therapy programs that may become another treatment option as research continues to develop.

Beyond treatment, Krispin emphasized the importance of educating families about follow-up care. Successful treatment depends not only on early diagnosis but also on consistent monitoring and brace compliance. Helping families understand why regular appointments matter can make a significant difference in long-term outcomes.

As someone who had to temporarily step away from volleyball during treatment, this reinforced how valuable early detection can be for student-athletes. Scoliosis does not have to define someone's future. With early diagnosis, proper treatment, and family support, many children can continue participating in sports and everyday activities while protecting their long-term spinal health. Through sharing expert perspectives alongside my own experience, I hope to encourage more families to prioritize screenings, recognize the signs of scoliosis early, and understand that early intervention can make all the difference.