Grace Callaghan: My scoliosis scars are a testament to strength and resilience

The Student Journalist of the Year may have once questioned the beauty of scars, but after a period of reflection, she’s embracing them. She describes her journey 

Grace Callaghan was named the winner of the Student Journalist of the Year award in the Young Journalism Awards organised by NewsBrands Ireland.

IT WAS a cold November day, sitting in the Crumlin hospital room as we stared at the photos of my spine.

The curve of my spine at 63 degrees. It was a shock to the system to see a photo of it like this. It made it seem all too real. Listening to all the questions my parents were asking, but when it was my turn my mind went blank. On the way home I googled the surgery. What popped up was no less than terrifying.