Scoliosis? Scoliosis is not a disease. It just means that in an otherwise healthy child, the spine is curved or twisted. There is no weakness of the back. Scoliosis is not infectious or contagious and it does not develop as a result of anything the child or parents did or failed to do. It is predominantly in girls. Some scoliosis cases could be hereditary.

It usually appears during the fast growth of the early teens, though it can also affect young children. There are many types of scoliosis varying from slight to severe curvature. It can sometimes remain mild, but four children in every thousand will need treatment.

You might want to know how it's being recognized...
People especially children, should be examined bare-backed for scoliosis from time to time. This is easily done by getting the to bend over from the waist while keeping the legs and arms straight and the palms together. From the rear, a clear rib bulge (prominency on one of the spine) will be visible, if the person has scoliosis.
A common sign of the problem is one shoulder blade being prominent than the other, with the person tending to lean a little to one side. The hips may also be uneven. The condition will not go away as one gets older and the earlier the scoliosis is detected and treated the better for the patient.

So, what do you do about it?
Successful treatment is available nowadays. Go first to the hospital. If the curvature gets confirmed through xrays, the doctor then refers you to an orthopaedic consultant who specialiszes in the treatment of scoliosis who will best be able to decide on the most suitable treatment for you.


I have been living with a Scoliosis for the past fifteen years and I observed that if the Nigerian public is made aware of the symptoms and handling of the condition, the new generation of Nigerian youths will be better for it. During the latter part of my undergraduate days at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, I engaged myself in a few Scoliosis awareness campaigns through talks and interactive sessions on the campus. My observations and the response I got from y audience has prompted me to go a little further by organizing an NGO called SCOLIOSIS AWARENESS ASSOCIATION (SCAA).

The aims and objectives of the NGO are as follows:

• to provide advice, support and information to people with scoliosis and other spinal conditions, including kyphosis and lordosis;
• to establish a forum where people living with the condition, especially Nigerians, can share their personal experiences about the condition and consequently comfort and encourage one another;
• to raise public awareness about the conditions among health professionals and the general public; and
• eliminate fear and stigma and open up opportunities for sharing of experiences.

These aims may be achieved through:

• Mounting an interactive website where everyone affected directly or indirectly by the conditions can share their experiences and tips on the conditions;
• Encouraging research into the conditions with a view to eradicating it completely from the face of the earth;
• Organizing media campaigns to help increase awareness of the symptoms and treatment of scoliosis by the general public and among health professionals;
• Producing publications to help inform people about the condition;
• Holding workshops, seminars and conferences where doctors and scientists (both at home and abroad) can rub minds on the complete eradication of the conditions.
• Running a membership scheme that will help people living with scoliosis keep in touch with one another, access support in their local area and keep them up-to-date with treatment developments.

This is expected to be an independent support group for scoliosis in Nigeria. May I use this medium to invite you to support this project. Your moral advise will be highly appreciated. Help Spread the awareness...and help to eradicate societal stigmatization of people living with disabilities.

Below is a link to some of the clips of work done so far...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2QBL0lyQYM&sns=fb

Op good initiative. Scoliosis has not been made well known and so those with it are discriminated. Wish you a good recovery op

You should have atleast told us what scoliosis is.

Gboliwe: You should have atleast told us what scoliosis is.

So sorry...it has just been modified.

an email or something would have been good too

mithel: an email or something would have been good too

scoligirl@live.com

KingMEXX: Op good initiative. Scoliosis has not been made well known and so those with it are discriminated. Wish you a good recovery op

Unfortunately most disabilities aren't well known and people aren't very tolerative of them
My son has scoliosis but I forgot about it until this thread. Its not on the top of my worry list.


Good luck with this your ministry.

SniperInADiaper:

Unfortunately most disabilities aren't well known and people aren't very tolerative of them
My son has scoliosis but I forgot about it until this thread. Its not on the top of my worry list.


Good luck with this your ministry.

Yeah, thanks! You could help him build up his self esteem and pride. Let him know we can't all be the same and this diversity is what makes us unique in our ways. It's not so easy coping with being different out there. Not all children are trained to learn to relate well with people with one physical challenge or the other which is part of what SCAA is into.
By the way, is he undergoing any treatment at the moment? What's the degree of his curve? SCAA is a support group. Feel free to contact us. Regards to him!

Hes undergoing a million treatments but none for scoliosis. He has regular visits to check it but its not worrisome. His is caused from other disabilities. Its slight and not likely going to need any treatment. Im unsure of the curve.

SniperInADiaper: Hes undergoing a million treatments but none for scoliosis. He has regular visits to check it but its not worrisome. His is caused from other disabilities. Its slight and not likely going to need any treatment. Im unsure of the curve.

My love to him! <3 x