I Bend, But Don't Break
Hello RCD readers,
I haven’t blogged in a while, but a strange series of events over the last few weeks got me thinking.
It started after a private conversation with a friend. Before I knew it, social media did its thing, and my feed was suddenly filled with scoliosis videos—tips on spine alignment, strengthening exercises, and personal journeys. At first, I had that natural reaction: Why is this showing up for me now? But the more I saw it, the more I decided to view it as a welcome nudge to finally reflect on my own story, how I navigated a childhood diagnosis, and what the experience taught me.
The Discovery: A Moment at the Barre
I learned I had scoliosis as a pre-teen, and fittingly enough, it happened right during our warm-ups at the barre.
We were going through our usual routine when my ballet teacher noticed something wasn't quite aligned. As I moved, one shoulder came up first, and the other followed. She gently pointed it out to my mom, which led us to seek medical advice.
Finding the answer was a process of elimination.
At first, we explored whether one leg was slightly longer than the other or if it was simply a matter of muscle strength. Eventually, an X-ray gave us clarity: it was scoliosis.
Redirection: From the Barre to the Drafting Table
At that age, dance was my whole world, and my biggest dream was to become a professional ballerina. Realizing that a classical performance career might not be in the cards was a heavy moment to process, but it opened the door to another passion.
Watching my dad build things around the house inspired me deeply. I fell in love with the entire process—taking an idea, drawing it out, and making it real. Architecture became my new big dream, giving me a fresh sense of purpose and direction.
Yet, I couldn't just let go of dance entirely.
An Unexpected Calling
Becoming a ballet teacher wasn't something I planned as a child; it happened almost by accident in 2008. In 2007 I helped teaching on Saturday because of nightschool during the week.
But when the schoolyear started in 2008 when my dance teacher fell ill with cancer, a few students and I stepped in to assist her with classes. What started as helping out in a time of need grew into a lifelong passion. She taught me how to guide and teach young children, and I simply stayed, taking on more classes as the years went by. What began as a temporary hand to lend has now turned into nearly 20 years of teaching.
Looking back, I ended up combining two things I loved—teaching, which had fascinated me since I was six years old, and dance, which I couldn't leave behind.
Navigating the Process
Managing scoliosis alongside my journey as a potential architect and a dance teacher turned into a learning curve of its own.
I took several X-rays over the years to monitor my spine, though comparing them proved challenging because the imaging angles often varied from one session to the next. Because of those variations, it was hard to get a clear picture of whether things were changing or remaining stable.
I also explored physical therapy options, which tended to focus heavily on external posture rather than how my movement felt from the inside. Eventually, I decided to step back from the constant check-ups and routine appointments to focus less on tracking numbers and more on listening to my own body. Mostly because it was a waste of time ⏲️.
What I Learned Along the Way
Living with scoliosis early on shaped how I approach life, career, and personal goals:
- Life's Unexpected Turns: Sometimes the happiest paths—like teaching ballet for nearly two decades—come from unexpected moments when you step up to help someone else.
- Building a New Vision: Letting go of one dream doesn't mean you stop creating; it just means you redirect your energy into something new, like architecture or teaching.
- Acceptance: Alignment isn't just about geometry or perfect lines; it's about finding balance with the reality of who you are and where life leads you.
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