Scoliosis awareness event set April 20 at Yoga Studio
Sussex Academy juniors Kate Meszaros and Peyton Stanislav have planned a scoliosis awareness event from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 20, at the Yoga Studio in the Midway Shopping Center, 18675 Coastal Highway #5, Rehoboth Beach.
Andrea Kennedy, instructor and studio owner, will lead a demonstration of yoga poses that help the spine. For their senior service project at school, Kate and Peyton selected scoliosis awareness as the focus. They will be discussing their project that emphasizes the importance of early detection of scoliosis in adolescents.
Attendees will be entered into a raffle to win one of the pendulum necklaces the girls designed alongside local jeweler Heidi Lowe. Made with sterling silver, each pendant represents a pendulum. The necklaces can be worn down the front and the back, as an elegant reminder to keep the spine in alignment and to stay straight.
Both were designed uniquely by Peyton and Kate; one pendulum has rounded edges with a delicate appearance, while the other is rigid and pointed, with a more triangular look.
The pendulum necklaces also will be for sale, with $50 of each purchase to be donated to the National Scoliosis Foundation.
Peyton and Kate chose scoliosis for their project focus due the significant role the condition has played in Kate’s life. In summer 2018, Kate was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. She had two curves over 20 degrees, creating an S curve in her spine.
Kate’s doctors recommended bracing as her most effective solution. Although surgery was not needed, Kate knew this would be a difficult adjustment in her everyday life. She wore a brace for 18-21 hours daily for three years. Kate was in and out of doctor’s offices with regular checkups and X-rays to monitor her progress. From one appointment to another, her curves slowly decreased, showing that the bracing was effective and correcting the curves in her spine.
By June 2021, Kate’s doctors told her she could stop wearing her brace, as her curves had decreased to 12-14 degrees. With the help of her doctors and the support of her family and friends, she made it through three tough years. “Scoliosis has taught me to be resilient, courageous and never ashamed to be a little different,” said Kate.
The two girls want to share this message and inspire others going through similar experiences.
Peyton said, “This project has taught me a lot about scoliosis and its impact on patients. It has also made me realize the lifelong impact that scoliosis can have on patients when not caught early.”
For more information, go to scoliosis.org, theyogastudiorehoboth.com and heidilowegallery.com.
