Shaping A Bright Future

by Jean Eisenmann left photo by Nicole Youngblood Photography & right photo courtesy of Vivian Nichols

Take one look at Madison O’Rourke, and your first thoughts would likely be that she’s a lovely young woman who is intelligent, vibrant, healthy, and has likely never faced any obstacles or challenges. Not all of those thoughts are what they seem.

Nearly 11 years ago, when she was in first grade, Madison was diagnosed with scoliosis. To compound the shock of hearing that she has this progressive and disabling condition, Madison learned that in order to correct the curvature and prevent future surgery, she must wear a custommade back brace. The braces are made of lightweight but rigid plastic and fit jacket-style under clothing to cover the torso from hips to armpits. The orthotists at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas fitted Madison with a brace which, at first, she had to wear for most of the day. Such “armor” can be devastating for a child, and that fitting was the beginning of a journey that would challenge her both physically and emotionally.

I WANT TO PAY IT FORWARD AND HELP OTHERS

Ironically, it served to shape Madison into the person she is today.

She became known at school as the “quiet kid,” but what her classmates didn’t know was that her shyness was actually embarrassment, thinking she was “different” from the other kids for wearing a brace. “Looking back on those days,” Madison reflects, “I probably withdrew because I was afraid of judgment. I have since learned that people aren’t going to judge me for being different. It’s a unique aspect about myself that I should be proud of and embrace.” However, that wasn’t a lesson Madison learned until later.

Throughout the next seven years of wearing the brace and coping with the stages of her scoliosis journey, Madison faced many challenges. She only had one or two friends at a time and told no one but them about her condition. T disguise the bulge, she wore loose sweatshirts — even in 90-degree weather. That piece of clothing became her comfort and protection.

Other dimensions of Madison’s struggle were the ongoing back pain and resulting sleepless nights. As she grew (to nearly 5’10”), it became necessary to alter and adjust her brace. All the while Madison dreamed of participating in sports and found her passion in the high jump. By then, she was wearing the brace for reduced hours, and that fueled her determination to increase her back strength and flexibility. Madison began to realize that she could accomplish her goals if she put her mind to it and work hard. That was the turning point when she started challenging herself both athletically and academically. “Not only did the brace shape my back, but it also developed my mindset,” Madison reflected.

In eighth grade, Madison made yet another trip to Scottish Rite Hospital thinking it was for her regular checkup. But that day, the pendulum of her life swung once again. She no longer needed to wear her brace. “I was ecstatic,” Madison exclaimed. “It was one of the best days of my life!”

Today, Madison is a senior at Liberty Christian School in Argyle and ranked in the top 3% of her class. In addition, she went on to compete at state for track and has been a volleyball district champ for two years.

In June, Madison started a Shaping a Better Future fundraiser in honor of Scottish Rite Dallas and to help underwrite the cost of care for children with scoliosis. “I want to pay it forward and help others experience the incredible care that Scottish Rite offers,” Madison acknowledged, “It is truly a special place.” She goes on to credit them, saying, “The support and love that I received from the hospital is something I will be forever grateful for, and it will always hold an important place in my life.”

Consistent with her striving for excellence in everything she does, Madison raised $50,000 for the hospital. This was

MADISON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SCOLIOSIS MADISON RAISED $50,000 FOR THE HOSPITAL

accomplished in three months, and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After graduation this spring, Madison will attend college and already has been accepted to three of them, though she has not yet made her final choice.

Scoliosis and the ensuing journey had such a profound impact on Madison’s life, but she ultimately turned something so negative into a life-altering positive. Since then, she unfailingly and tirelessly works hard to accomplish her goals and pushes herself beyond her limits.

“I now take pride in my scoliosis journey,” Madison reflected. “I want to use my voice in various ways to serve as encouragement to others that they can accomplish what they perceive to be impossible.”