Embracing Life with Scoliosis: Strength, Love and Stylish Mobility Aids
Introducing Hannah. She not only has the coolest job, working as an Educational Ranger at Center Parcs, but she also embraces a wonderful outlook on life—always focusing on what she CAN do instead of what she can't. We want to share Hannah's story as she discusses her experience living with Idiopathic Scoliosis, a condition that often goes unspoken about. Plus, we hope you can gain some valuable tips from Hannah on how she supports her mental health while living with a chronic condition.
Please start by introducing yourself to us
Hey, I’m Hannah, I’m 33 and I’m living with Scoliosis. I absolutely love my job as an Educational Ranger at Center Parcs; my day consists of taking guests on nature walks, and I even get to help children build houses for the woodland creatures. I have always had a huge love for animals and the outdoors, so I consider myself very lucky to call this my job.
I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis when I was 13 years old. Idiopathic means there is no known cause of why I live with the symptoms I do. Scoliosis itself is a curve and rotation of the spine, so rather than having an S-shaped spine, it’s a C-shape, which doesn’t only impact my back but also my ribs. I started using mobility aids in my adult life because after my osteopath appointments, I was beginning to feel unstable on my feet. I started with a cheap Amazon walking stick, which began okay, but the more I used it, the more I noticed that it was very noisy and my hand became incredibly uncomfortable. It was in 2022 when I invested in my first Cool Crutches walking stick. After browsing the website for hours, I came across the beautiful purple stick with a moulded hand grip for either left or right, and I was sold— and I haven’t looked back!
We'd love to know more about the beginning of your Scoliosis journey
Being a teenager with scoliosis was incredibly difficult. It added an extra layer to all the normal insecurities that 13-year-olds have about their bodies. I was very self-conscious about my body looking different and would always tell myself I couldn’t wear the clothes I wanted to. Scoliosis is more common in adolescent girls than it is in boys, but I still didn’t have anyone around me going through the same thing, nor did I ever see people on TV or in the media with scoliosis, so it was a very lonely time.
Alongside the mental strain that came with my illness, I was also in a huge amount of pain all the time, so I wasn’t able to participate in all the things a teenager should be able to take part in, at school or with friends, and I remember feeling incredibly low at the prospect that this was all my life was going to be. Thankfully, I had my mum, who has been amazing from the moment I was diagnosed to this present day—she is a superhero! It was her decision to find me alternative treatment rather than following the path of surgery, which is what is initially offered to you by medical professionals. My mum wanted to find a different answer for me, which is what led me to my first osteopath. I am eternally grateful she guided me towards this treatment option because it turned out to be a great route, not only for my body but for my mental health too.
What impact have mobility aids had on your life?
Before I found Cool Crutches, I didn’t feel confident in the mobility aids I had used. The Amazon walking stick wasn’t at all comfortable, and the hospital sticks and crutches were just awful and grey. When I found you guys, I felt like someone was really on my side, helping me face my disability without having to accept that because I am disabled, I only deserve low-quality, grey, dull, LOUD mobility aids. Instead, I now get lots of compliments on how lovely my walking stick and crutches are because of the amazing patterns. Beyond the gorgeous colours, being created by a mobility aid user means every part of the design is built for purpose, right down to the ferrules, which are a huge help to me with my balance issues. Now I have 3 high-quality and FABULOUS walking aids in different colours. Each one suits my personality and they all lift me up when I'm feeling down.
What do you currently find is your biggest hurdle living with your condition?
The biggest struggle of living with scoliosis is the roller-coaster journey of chronic pain. Some days are amazing, and I feel as light as a feather, but other days I feel like I only have enough energy to shower; it’s like walking around with bricks strapped to my back. I find the inconsistency the hardest thing to manage, as you never know how you are going to wake up feeling, and this can make it hard to plan ahead. However, as the years have gone on, I have learned to understand my body and my triggers, and this has definitely become easier with time.
How do you support your mental health whilst living with a chronic condition?
T A L K I NG!
Whether that’s to my friends, family, or the community I have built online, talking to people has been my saviour. I do find it extra helpful to connect with others living with a disability; it doesn’t have to be Scoliosis, but speaking to people who are experiencing a diagnosis or managing daily symptoms can help in areas that friends and family may not be able to. I also try to take every day as it comes. It’s important not to be too hard on yourself or compare yourself to others around you. I’m a super determined person and refuse to be beaten by my disability. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me because they see a walking stick; I want them to know how BADASS I am and how strong I am for being here—doing life my way!
Anyone who is living with a chronic illness, I would advise to focus on what makes you happy! Don’t give up looking for that hobby or passion that can bring light to your life in the hard moments. And as my mum has always said to me, "Go for it and don't give up."
What are the products that you use to help manage your symptoms?
- Cura Heat Patches! These are great for helping with any pain or discomfort on the go. I can pop them in my bag and grab one when I need it.
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Globus TENS Machine. This is my go-to when I’m sitting at my desk. It’s a small electro-stimulator that offers instant relief from pain in my back and any muscles that are sore.
- My Blue Badge! This is a disability benefit that I couldn't live without. It makes the trip from the car to wherever I'm heading ten times easier, especially if I'm experiencing lots of pain that day. My badge prevents a simple trip to the supermarket causing my symptoms to flair up.
What advice would you give to someone else that is living with scoliosis?
You need to find a healthy balance of comfortable stretches and moving your body whilst also listening to when you need rest. I have found yoga to be an absolute winner. It’s wonderful for alignment and is a very gentle way to build strength. I’ve also been doing Zumba for over a year and love it! The combination of dance and exercise means I don’t only feel great for moving, but I’ve had the best time doing it. I don’t feel any pressure to take part when it’s too much, and I can also incorporate my walking stick into the routines when I need too. It’s key to find movement that doesn’t leave you suffering for days afterwards, start slow, and build it up.
How could society further improve the lives of disabled people?
I’m happy to say society has come a long way. It once felt like your needs weren’t acknowledged by businesses or the community as a disabled person; however, now I can feel a huge shift towards more people wanting to understand and help. There is still a long way to go, and we have to continue fighting for more inclusion and better accessibility, but things are definitely moving forward, which is very positive.
Do you have anything exciting that you’d like to share with us?
I have started filming mini vlogs for my social media platforms where I talk about scoliosis and what the realities are of living with a disability. I’m really enjoying the process and hope that I can reach others who are experiencing similar feelings or looking for that extra bit of support or connection that they can’t get from their friends and family. I also want to spread more awareness of Idiopathic Scoliosis, I don't feel many people truly understand scoliosis as a condition, and educating people will only help to improve the lives of those living with it. You can see my content on my Instagram or my YouTube.
If you would like to read more about the amazing members of the Cool Crutches community, then these blogs may interest you:
