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Back to school with a brace

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Going back to school is not always easy for adolescents with scoliosis who wear a brace.—-> with scoliosis, and who need to wear a brace
Some are able to talk about it and share their difficulties, while others keep everything inside — and often they are the ones who suffer the most.

Of course, not all of our adolescent patients will struggle, but we need to pay particular attention to those who are changing schools: moving from primary to middle school, from middle to high school, or even simply to a new class.

Facing new teachers, new subjects, and above all new classmates is always an exciting challenge, full of curiosity… but no one knows  is aware about the brace!

It is natural, when entering a new environment, to want to give our best and show the best version of ourselves. It’s natural to want to give your best and show the best version of yourself when entering a new environment.But then comes the question: what about the brace?

“What will they think of me?”
“I can’t let them see me with the brace! Please, Mom, Dad, just the first few days without it and then I promise I’ll wear it again!”
“I’ll take it off at school and I promise I’ll put it back on afterward. In the afternoon I just do homework, I never go out anyway!”

Who could blame them? And above all, when this happens, how can we really help? It’s difficult — for the teenagers, for you the parents, and also for us professionals who care for them.

How to deal with it

If the prescribed “brace-free” hours allow it , it’s fine to leave the brace at home in the very first days. But if the free hours are limited (at least 3–4 in addition to school hours), then after a short initial adjustment it becomes important to face the class with the brace on. No adolescent will spend every afternoon locked indoors: there will be sports, birthdays, parties, get-togethers…

If, on the other hand, many hours of therapy are still required and free time is very limited, then it’s better to tackle the challenge right away. We know it’s tough, but once the “wall” is broken down, the path becomes much easier.

What we usually tell our patients

First of all, we remind them that they cannot live in seclusion. They have done nothing wrong to deserve a sort of “house arrest”: wearing the brace is already challenging enough, they shouldn’t also give up their social life.

Then we propose a kind of exercise: imagine it isn’t you with the brace, but one of your classmates. This classmate, afraid of being judged, chooses not to follow the treatment properly and doesn’t wear the brace the required hours. Nobody will ever know, because this classmate never had the courage to show up with the brace. But meanwhile, their spine is getting worse.

And then we ask: what would you want for this classmate? That they trusted you and asked for help, or that they considered you incapable of supporting them — so much so that they gave up their own health?

As always, when we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, the answer becomes clear.

A special wish

Good luck to all the adolescents who are about to return to school wearing a brace — and good luck also to all their parents!

Changing schools when you wear a brace

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Every year, when the beginning of school comes round, we get asked the same question: “I’m changing school. I’m going to have new classmates and teachers. How should I tell them that I wear a brace?”

Well, the best thing is probably to start by telling the student who sits next to you, and then gradually tell the others. Don’t forget, it’s only a treatment, just like braces to treat teeth or glasses for eye problems.

It can be stressful trying to hide, and there’s absolutely no reason why you should! If your brace is well made it shouldn’t be noticeable under your clothes, although obviously if someone tries to tickle you or give you a hug, then they are going to feel your “shell”.  

Tell your friends about it: some of them might be a bit curious to begin with, others will want to help you with your backpack, and you will probably get teased a bit, but if you treat it as something quite normal then they will soon do the same!

It’s important to think carefully about what to wear for your first days at school. It’s best to choose clothes that make you feel good, and make sure you “wear” a big smile, too. Because even though a new school, like all new experiences, can be a bit scary, it will be exciting and interesting too!

What about those who tease you about your brace? Some classmates will tease you in a nice way, and if that’s the case, there’s no need to get offended. Of course, we all know that there can be some rather stupid people in this world, and wearing a brace is one way of working out who they are. Once you know, you will also know not to take any notice of them.

In fact, wearing a brace is a great way of learning not to care about how others may judge you. It will help you to make sure you only spend time with real friends, those who you know you can always count on! Unfortunately, nothing comes easy in life, and making friends takes time and effort, but you have to be prepared to persevere in order to see the results, just like with your brace!

The people who stick up for you and support you when things are tough are your real friends. As for the rest, take no notice of them. They are just people you happen to know!