Ayalin’s Moment – Scoliosis

Previously published in Rite Up, 2025 – Issue 2. By Kristi Shewmaker Meet Hanna, a 12-year-old of Flower Mound, Texas, who loves listening to music while drawing; Bella, a 13-year-old all-around athlete…

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?I am a research coordinator for the spine team. I assist the spine doctors, fellows, residents and students with their research. What is the…

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?I am a bioengineer in the Movement Science Lab at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco. We use high-speed…

Whether she is spiking a volleyball over the net or racing others in cross country, 17-year-old Olivia enjoys an active lifestyle with intensity, grit and heart. “Both sports have taught me about…

For Kathlynn, of Waxahachie, Texas, dance is not just a hobby. It is an outlet for expression that brings joy. Just days after Kathlynn’s 10th birthday, she and her family went to…

A young ballet dancer who is committed to the art will eagerly await the opportunity to join more experienced dancers en pointe. Many factors should be considered before making the transition to…

Andrew was only 8 when Perthes disease, a rare childhood hip disorder, changed everything. One day, he was playing baseball, and the next, he couldn’t walk. “There were days he would come…

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?I am an occupational therapist (OT) and assistive technology professional. I work with patients and their families to order their custom wheelchairs, cover clinics…

With an insatiable love for reading, 13-year-old Ellie and 10-year-old Josie, of McGregor, Texas, have always turned the page of their story together, even as they face scoliosis side by side. Their…

Hidden in every seam of a garment is a unique story, as 21-year-old Gabbi would discover. While she has always loved fashion, Gabbi’s appreciation for design would develop in the most unexpected…