Can’t keep her down Seventh-grader with scoliosis is inspired, not discouraged
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hen undergoing a physical, most children are checked for scoliosis. Then 11-yearold Maggie Walker had the test in June 2012 and was given a clean bill of health. But after suffering some unexplained severe back pain, her mother, Janette, decided to take her to the chiropractor. “We just thought it was a pulled muscle,” she explained. “With the chiropractor’s treatment, most of the pain subsided, and we attributed the remaining pain to her tough workouts.” Maggie has been a competitive cheerleader with the Atlanta Jayhawks since she was 5, and takes her sport quite seriously. In addition, she plays lacrosse, loves hiking and has a passion for surfing. Any athlete at her level is used to muscle aches and pains. When the pain seemed too severe, Janette said they went to an orthopedist. In fact, they saw three different ones until they felt they had the correct diagnosis. Nothing prepares a parent when their child is given news such as the Walkers received in early May of this year. “Maggie was diagnosed with moderate idiopathic scoliosis, with two curves in her spine,” Janette explained. Due to the location of one of the curves, a brace was not an option. Instead, the doctor closely monitored her condition to see if the curves were progressing too quickly. Unfortunately, that was the case and she is scheduled to undergo 22
Youth Magazine | October - November 2013
surgery in early November, right at the end of her competitive cheer season. Although she received the diagnosis during the final two days of tryouts for the Riverwatch Middle School cheer squad, Maggie was able to focus on her abilities and made the team. “That was a really stressful week,” she recalled. While many people, young and old alike, may feel sorry for themselves in this In September, Magg ie Walker was in cha situation, Maggie does not. rge of a fundraiser for Change 4 Georgia called Suds for Soldiers. They raised “I haven’t really shared more than $2,000, wh ich will go tow ard s ass isti ng soldiers and their my story until now because families. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me or give me special “I have had incredible support from treatment,” said the now 12-year old my family and friends, but I know there seventh-grader. “My plan is to start may be others who might not be as a support group for other students fortunate, or who just want to speak in Forsyth County who may have with another young person who has scoliosis.” been through what they are going through,” she said. “I know there is a reason Maggie doesn’t just want to help those who have scoliosis, she is all this happened to me and about helping anybody she can. In I feel like I am supposed September, she organized a fundraiser for Change 4 Georgia called Suds for to use this experience to Soldiers. It collected more than $2,000 make a difference in the that will go towards assisting soldiers and their families. lives of others.” “When people ask me what I am not going to be able to do after the surgery, I tell them I am focusing on Maggie went on to say she loves what I will be able to do because that helping others. Since going through list is much longer,” she said. her ordeal, she sees the need for such Janette said they aren’t certain how a group.