Help Make Scoliosis More "Bear-able"!

Two years ago I was given the opportunity to help 50 warriors just like me and I am here to do it again.

Hi! My name is Caroline, I am 16 years old, and I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 11. For anyone that doesn't know, scoliosis is when your spine is shaped like an 'S' or 'C' and it affects 9 million people in the United States alone.

My journey started 5 years ago in my pediatrician's office when she had me do the bend test. She saw a slight curve in my spine and noticed my shoulders were uneven. From there we got x-rays, I did physical therapy, and shortly after that I had to be fitted for a custom back brace. Countless x-rays, 3 braces, and a lot of frustration later, I am here, hoping to make a difference!

Higgy Bears is a small, local business (and 501 (c)(3) charity) run by a wonderful friend of mine, Lauren Higginson. She hand-makes different kinds of back braces in various patterns to match the braces of kids with scoliosis. For me, having a Higgy Bear makes this rough journey a lot better, because I feel my furry friend is going through the same thing I am, so I am not alone. I would really like to make an impact by giving other kids who are fighting scoliosis Higgy Bears to hopefully make their journey a bit more “bear-able”.

I have started this GoFundMe, that is connected to Higgy Bears, so all donations will go straight to Lauren. She will then send me a box of various Higgy Bears that I will donate to Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, Hanger Clinic, and FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center, where I go for scoliosis treatments. I have a pretty big goal of raising enough money to donate 200 bears. Any amount helps but if you are unable to donate, spreading the word is great too! Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you consider donating to help make scoliosis a little more “bear-able” for others!

If you want to read Lauren's inspirational story or learn more about Higgy Bears, please go to

https://higgybears.com