19/06/2025
Meet Kadence and Shelby, aka the “Scoliosis Sisters,” a name they proudly gave themselves. ☺️
Both were treated for scoliosis at Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City, though their journeys looked a little different.
Kadence underwent growing rod surgeries while continuing to be a kid and pursuing activities she enjoyed, like dance.
“I couldn’t bend at the waist, due to the rod in my spine, so Shriners made me a special brace to keep me from bending,” she said. “They found a way for me to dance and taught me that sometimes, you just have to do things a little differently.”
Later, after years of tagging along to Kadence’s appointments, Shelby received a scoliosis diagnosis.
“Although it might sound odd, I was actually excited,” Shelby says. “Before I was even a patient, I got so much help and care, so I knew I’d be taken care of, and I was so happy to finally be a Shriners kid.”
Through it all, the sisters cheered each other on, and now, in honor of National Scoliosis Awareness Month, they’re sharing what they’ve learned along the way.
"Make your brace or cast something you'd love to show off. As you get older, it gets harder to be different, but embracing it helped me stay happy,” Kadence said.
The sisters have found that embracing and sharing your differences can empower not just you, but everyone around you.
“Telling your story can help others be seen,” Shelby said. “Be proud of every part of yourself, you are not alone!”
