Lucy suffers from Scoliosis but this hasn't stopped her pursuing her dream to be on stage. This is her story...
Lucy's story
I was three when I started to develop Scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. My spine began to bend into an 'S' shape and eventually twisted round my ribs. This has made me have a slight hump. It was unusual for me to develop it at such a young age because it normally starts to affect people when they hit puberty.
When I was younger I used to get picked on because of my disease, but since I've had to live with it for so long it doesn't really affect my life that much anymore. The only thing I can't do is run and sometimes I'm unsteady on my feet. Stairs can also be a problem, but if there's a handrail then I can normally cope.
“I ended up missing a whole year of school ”
Complications in Hospital
I had started my GCSEs in school when I had to go into hospital to have an operation on my spine. I'd always known that I would need the operation to have longer rods put in my back so I wasn't too bothered, but things didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped.
Originally I was only going to be in hospital for two weeks, but because my spine was more twisted than the doctors thought I had to be in traction for five weeks. Then I got a wound infection and ended up spending another ten weeks in hospital.
I wasn't in much pain but recovery was slow and I ended up missing a whole year of school, so when I was 16 I went back and started my GCSEs again. This is why I'm older than the rest of my class. It wasn't all bad though, being in hospital that long meant that I met people with similar conditions and made some new friends.
* Names have been changed.
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The Drama Queen
I started drama lessons when I was in secondary school and found I had a talent for acting. Since then my passion for the stage has grown.
In my spare time I write scripts or ideas for scripts. I spent a year being a member of a local amateur dramatics group and I appeared in three shows at the local theatre. My favourite type of show is comedies because it gives me such a buzz when the audience laugh. I just love being on stage and entertaining people, so I wasn't going to let my Scoliosis stop me from realising my dream. After my GCSE's I enrolled in a college course to help me do this.
A Little Bit of Help
After my recovery I was lucky enough to get an ALG (Adult Learning Grant) to help me when I got to college. It's helped me a lot because it gives me more freedom and some control over my life, rather than having to depend on other people.
Without the financial support from the ALG I wouldn't be able to do my course and would have to find a job in something I don't want to do. I'm just finishing my first year now and am planning to carry on with the second year in September.
I'm so glad that my Scoliosis hasn't stopped me following my dream, so don't be surprised in a couple of years when you see me tearing it up on stage!
Update: It's one year on and I'm now off to study BA(Hons) Drama at university. Hurrah!
Some names have been changed.
More info on Scoliosis
More info on Adult Learning Grants
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
Hayley, 16
i think it's great that you're following your dream, it musnt be easy with the scoliosis. Keep going no matter what! You're an inspiration =] good luck with your gcse's too :)
Elina, 16
You've been through such a lot, darling! I hope you succeed in your acting career and whatever you do, don't let it down!
Emmaa, 14
i have Scoliosis too , all my family does but its no where near as bad as yours. At least it hasnt stopped you from doing anythingg x
Jess, 15
I think this story is really inspiring for young people because they know no matter what's wrong with you, you can still persue your dreams
Nhung,13, ,
Aww, what a great story with such a happy ending!!! =)I'm so happy you got what you want in the end and plus, thanks for being such a great example for kids out there, because remember, "Nothing's impossible if you put your mind to it!". =)Best of Luck to everyone out there! xoxo
Beth, 13
One of my friends has Scoliosis and when she was little she used to do ballet but had to give it up when she was 10 because of it. She used to get get bullied for her hump back but everyone knows now and they just accept her. I admire you for being so brave =] xx
Romy, 12
wow you should be really proud of yourself for pusuing your dreams!i hav scoliosis too, but i have a very mild condition of it. I know how much it can affect your daily life-but you have persevered. So well done to you!
Nicole , 14
You are such an inspiration ! x honestly you sound like such a amazing person I wish you all the best x
