Amanda
Fran- I couldn't help but to comment on your questions reguarding scoli.... my appologies for being so late. My sister (17) was diagnosed with scoliosis at 3 yrs old. She underwent 2 back surgeries until the age of 8. By 12 yrs old her curvature was a 90 degree. She also has s shaped, 60 on top and 30 below. they had her in a boston brace from 8-12 religiously. I remember her and my mom fighting daily becasue she was uncomfortable wearing it and mom felt it was imperative for her to wear it. the docs estimated two growth spurts for heer and also stressed the importance of her wearing the brace. Eventually my sister won and gave up wearing the brace and it did not affect her curvature. Like i said before she is 17, but she is also 5'2. Ultimately it boiled down to the doctors telling us that they pretty much could do nothing for her back until she was done growing... then theres another surgery involving rods. The outcome of that surgery won't be remarkable and will probably cause more pain to her and not make a very noticable difference. My sister may be short and tiny but shes a fiesty thing. i was worried for her going through middle school and high school with kids being cruel, but she has had no problem. She won't be caught dead with out a wind breaker on, she is self conscious. But she is in the marching band in high school and is looking to continue that through college. i guess what i'm trying to say is, have her wear it if she'll comply- but, my sister didn't and she survived. - amanda