Nova Scotia high school student brings support to peers living with scoliosis

Crystal Garrett chats with the founder of Nova Scotia Curvy Girls, a support group for those living with scoliosis.

A Nova Scotia high school student is taking a leadership role amongst people living with scoliosis.

Jessy Peters is the founder of Nova Scotia’s chapter of Curvy Girls – an international peer support group for girls living with scoliosis – a chronic and sometimes progressive sideways curving of the spine which is often detected in childhood.

Peters said when she and her mother discovered Curvy Girls, they thought it was great opportunity to bring support to people in Nova Scotia who live with the disease.

“I really was looking for that support,” Peters said in an interview with CTV’s Crystal Garrett.

Curvy Girls expanded throughout Atlantic Canada behind Peters’ trailblazing Nova Scotia chapter. She hosted her first virtual meeting with peers in the region Saturday. She said her goal is to bring more awareness to scoliosis.

“When I discovered I had it, I had no idea what it was,” she said. “Even if I give a couple of girls that reassurance, that support that they’re looking for, to know they’re not alone because it’s so important to know you’re not going through this alone.”

Peters was diagnosed with scoliosis after an extended period of back pain when she was 14 years old. She said it was hard in the beginning because she didn’t know anything about the disease or the support group.

“I wanted to become a leader so I could get that support as well as give it to others and just make a really hard interesting thing just a bit easier.”

Three months after her diagnosis, the curve in Peters’ spine increased by 16 degrees.

“It was progressing really fast,” she said.

Peters said her spine doesn’t require surgical intervention, but she has to do a lot of physiotherapy, yoga and core strengthening.

“I’m in pain 24/7, whether mild or severe,” Peters said. “School had become a bit harder. I’m trying to focus on my math or whatever and I feel like I’m going to throw up from the pain.”

Peters said holding static positions – sitting or standing – is difficult for long periods of time. She said some simple tasks, like standing in line, are painful.

There is no cure for scoliosis. Peters said bracing helps if the condition is identified early, but when your only option is to be encased in a “hard casket” for 23 hours a day, you need more than physical support. Peters said her goal is to give girls living with scoliosis the support they need.

“To help them become leaders and advocate for themselves and just give them the opportunity to discuss with people who know what they’re going through,” Peters said.

Information about Curvy Girls is available on its website.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page