International Scoliosis Awareness Day 2016

Scoliosis is a disorder with abnormal sideways or lateral curvature of the spine. It is not a rare condition but there is still very little knowledge or understanding about scoliosis and how it affects the lives of patients and their families, which can leave them feeling isolated and unsure where to turn.

Many of you may not know that Jamaican sprinter and gold medalist Usain Bolt has scoliosis. In an interview Bolt described how scoliosis affected his training in the early part of his career:

“When I was younger it wasn’t really a problem. But you grow and it gets worse. My spine’s really curved bad [makes “S” shape with finger]. But if I keep my core and back strong, the scoliosis doesn’t really bother me. So I don’t have to worry about it as long as I work hard. The early part of my career, when we didn’t really know much about it, it really hampered me because I got injured every year.”

In 2013 Scoliosis Association (UK) launched International Scoliosis Awareness Day. The aim was to unite people from all over the world to create positive public awareness of scoliosis, promote education, and bring together those affected by the condition.

National Scoliosis Awareness Month takes place yearly in June with the goal of highlighting the growing need for education, early detection and awareness to the public about scoliosis and its prevalence within the community.

ISAD 2016 is on Saturday 25th June 2016. Show your support and get involved in this year's very special Got Your Back campaign!  To find out how you can help visit www.sauk.org.uk 

Follow SAUK on twitter @ScoliosisUK     #scoliosisgotyourback

Got your Back Mug £5 GBP available from www.sauk.org.uk/shop/shop-online