Stand Tall with Me: Help Girls with Scoliosis Access Life-Changing Care
Hi, my name is Maya Jayaram, and I’m 16 years old. I want to share something personal with you. Something that changed my life and inspired me to help change others’.
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve in ways it shouldn’t. It’s not just a posture problem, it affects how you walk, breathe, move, sleep, and even how you feel about yourself. When my doctors first showed me the x-rays, I was terrified. I felt alone, scared, and unsure of what the future would look like.
But then I found Align Clinic, and everything changed.
Align Clinic provided me with a brace that helped stop my spine from curving even more as I continued to grow. Wearing the brace wasn’t easy — in fact, it was one of the most physically and emotionally painful things I’ve ever done. It hurt, it was uncomfortable, and it made daily life a challenge. But it worked. It gave me hope. It gave me a future where I can stand tall, literally and figuratively.
What most people don’t realize is how expensive this treatment is. Insurance does not cover customized braces. My family had to pay $4,000 out of pocket, and I know not every family can afford that. That’s why I’m launching this fundraising campaign to support the Align Scoliosis Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children, especially girls, access the treatment they need.
Scoliosis disproportionately affects girls, nearly 75% of cases are female. That means thousands of girls like me are out there, in pain, scared, and unsure if they’ll ever get the help they need. No one should have to live with the fear of their spine worsening just because their family can’t afford treatment.
My goal is to raise money so the Align Scoliosis Foundation can offer more financial aid to families who need it. Every dollar raised goes directly toward making sure a girl gets a brace, gets a chance, and gets her life back.
Donate. Share. Help me change the curve, and hopefully change a life.
With gratitude,
Maya Jayaram
