![Gracie in front of doctor photo](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getattachment/21fe6d77-64ef-4b79-ad1d-723fc7d9c0f4/Gracie-Cortez-age-5-of-Dallas_01-26-2021_020-copy.jpg?lang=en-US&width=1200&height=619&ext=.jpg&uh=69dfe0d8b7f4783297326ebc2861ea9f764e395463fc8ea869c903103e87545f&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
Feb 23, 2021 / Scoliosis & Spine
Share Your Story: Dance Because I am Happy!
Meet Gracie - a patient who was seen by our spine experts. Learn more about her journey below.
Blog written by Gracie, of Dallas.
Hello! My name is Gracie and I am 5 years old. Do you like to dance? I do!! I also have scoliosis.
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was just a baby. I was only 6 months old when I had my first set of X-rays - we learned that my spine curve was 78°. I have been coming to Scottish Rite for treatment since I was just 8 months old. My doctor is Dr. McIntosh, but I like to call her Dr. Mac!
When I was an infant, my mom would bring me to Scottish Rite every 2 – 3 months to get a cast to try and help the curve in my spine. As I got older, I would outgrow my casts and have to get new ones because I was getting bigger. Once, my doctor tried letting me just wear a brace. That didn’t work too well because I would always take it off. I ended up getting the cast put back on.
Finally, after a difficult decision, my doctor and parents decided I should have a surgery to help my curve. Yes, I had to have back surgery! Dr. Mac put growing rods in my spine. It went very well and now I have a smaller curve.
After my surgery, I stayed at Scottish Rite for four nights. Since everyone has to be extra careful because of COVID, I could not have visitors, so I would make videos for my mommy to send our family and friends. I also like these videos because I can remember what I went through and share my story with you guys. When my mommy and I were there, the doctors and nurses and people in Child Life were all very welcoming to us.
Blog written by Gracie, of Dallas.
Hello! My name is Gracie and I am 5 years old. Do you like to dance? I do!! I also have scoliosis.
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was just a baby. I was only 6 months old when I had my first set of X-rays - we learned that my spine curve was 78°. I have been coming to Scottish Rite for treatment since I was just 8 months old. My doctor is Dr. McIntosh, but I like to call her Dr. Mac!
When I was an infant, my mom would bring me to Scottish Rite every 2 – 3 months to get a cast to try and help the curve in my spine. As I got older, I would outgrow my casts and have to get new ones because I was getting bigger. Once, my doctor tried letting me just wear a brace. That didn’t work too well because I would always take it off. I ended up getting the cast put back on.
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getattachment/News-Items/Share-Your-Story-Dance-Because-I-am-Happy!/20210219_131337-copy.jpg?lang=en-US&width=300&height=222&uh=48fa2368d706274ac0f8a3dfab846c3f41cc83773e350f6f24f0dceac62b0bee&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
After my surgery, I stayed at Scottish Rite for four nights. Since everyone has to be extra careful because of COVID, I could not have visitors, so I would make videos for my mommy to send our family and friends. I also like these videos because I can remember what I went through and share my story with you guys. When my mommy and I were there, the doctors and nurses and people in Child Life were all very welcoming to us.