Sophia Nguyen

When I was ten years old, I was stretching in my Houston Ballet class when I felt a sharp pain in my back. At first, I ignored it. But over time, the pain began radiating down my right thigh whenever I walked or sat too long. I knew something wasn’t right.

I mentioned it to my parents only twice. I’ve never been much of a complainer, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were working long hours in clinics and hospitals. I didn’t want to add to their stress. So I masked my crooked gait, compensating with different muscles, forcing myself to stand straighter. Secretly, I was afraid of what a trip to the doctor might reveal.