Bracing Works! #momwin

I know parents here will understand my happiness more than anyone else, so I have to share!

​I feel like I've been holding my breath for 5 years straight since Kinley's diagnosis. The beginning of the journey was quite bumpy as we learned everything we could, met with various doctors, and tried multiple makes of back braces (including the Boston and Goss) before finding what finally worked.

​From ages 7 to 10, watching her curve gradually get worse each year made us extremely nervous, knowing we were heading toward surgery if the trend continued. When she hit the "rapid growth" years of ages 11–12, it felt like the danger zone with rapid changes in curvature likely. I had to balance being a supportive mom with being her biggest nag about getting her brace hours in—complete with plenty of tears from both of us and worries about damaging our relationship. She even went to 2 summer camps where she wasn't hitting her hours for a week, and I worried everything would go haywire. She has said "I hate this. I just want to be normal" on an almost daily basis for years, and I wanted that for her too, especially wanting to hug my daughter without a barrier between us.

​That is why finding the Whisper Brace has been such a massive relief for our family. Not only does it allow her flexibility and movement in her abdomen while firmly holding her spine in place, but my favorite feature is the sensor connecting to an app on my phone. It lets me track her wear time and gives her team at Green Sun Medical feedback on whether enough pressure is being applied to the right parts.

​We do check-in X-rays like clockwork every 6 months, and today's appointment brought the absolute best news. Her curve has held steady in the mild range, and her spine looks amazing! She started with an 89% chance of needing surgery and is now down to only a 10% probability, with the likelihood of being done bracing by the end of 2027.

​She has done the hard work, and her spine is the proof. So incredibly proud of her and thankful for her amazing medical team!