Folks, the book "The Girl With the Crooked Spine" isn't just about scoliosis. Although it chronicles my journey with the deformity since I was 11 years old, detailing my emotions upon receiving the diagnosis, wearing the Milwaukee brace during my teenage years, and undergoing surgery, the book also shares my adventures and travels.
Without a doubt, the most memorable trip for me as a teenager was the time I spent in London, England. Before living there, I went on vacation with my aunt and my mother, and I fell in love in such a big way that I returned to spend a year there studying English and marketing. I love talking about this period so much that I'm going to share a little excerpt from the book with you below:
"In November 1997, at 16 years old, I sold some personal items, enrolled in an English course in London through the British Consulate in São Paulo, and bought a ticket to leave in January. It was only then that I told my parents. I told them I knew what I was doing and that I couldn't stand Brazil, school, and the same people anymore. The ticket was already bought; they couldn't do anything. I would arrive in London alone, not speaking a word of English, in the crazy cold, and with no money. What helped me a lot was Michael's borrowed apartment and his bank card. It was an incredible help. The apartment was quite small but luxurious, and the location was great. With the card, I could go grocery shopping and buy clothes to protect myself from that freezing cold. My mother and Michael were in Brazil and would only return to London months later to meet me. My father's reaction I already expected: he got all excited; Grandma Selma and Didi nearly had heart attacks. Maria, my aunt, loved the idea; she even started planning her visit as well."
I wasn't wearing the brace at that time; I had been discharged. But I hadn't had the surgery yet, which I only found out I would need when I returned to Brazil. This year in London was one of the best of my life, and I gained an incredible experience. Plus, I was learning English, which is always a good thing!
That's a little bit of my story, but I'd love to hear your stories too. Does anyone out there have an adventure to share from their teenage years?
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Julia's 'The Girl with the Crooked Spine' is totally a real deal! The way she tells the story and gets her point across is just top-notch. Honestly, if you want to dive deep into some real feels and learn a thing or two, you've gotta check this out.