I was diagnosed with Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) over 10 years ago and at the time, as a young 21 year old I felt very smug with the diagnosis as there was zero pain. However as the years went on and my body became older, the pain set in. I am an active person – weights at the gym, complex choreography at the dance studio and all round do-er. Which is why it is so frustrating that if I get a good night sleep, or just stay in the same position for a number of hours, my back becomes beyond painful and my movement severely limited for the rest of the day.
In 2018 after finding out how common the condition was, I arranged for myself and four other women to have our spines painted to promote awareness however the irony is that by the time the painting was done, my spine felt in pieces and the pain was unbearable. The pain is chronic and there are good days and bad days. However as we chatted while waiting to be painted, we all agreed, Scoliosis is just part of our lives now.
Instagram: @kellysmccormack
Image Copyright: Philip J Vernon
Artist: Charlotte Mahdoodhi
Image Description: A group of people sat on the floor and on a pink couch, surrounded by Tesco bags and a speaker, with a window to another room visible in the background. One person with long red hear is sat without a top on, and a tattoo is visible on their arm.
Image Copyright: Philip J Vernon
Artist: Charlotte Mahdoodhi
Image Description: Image of the back of a topless person with long dark hair, having a spine and flowers painted on their back. The painter is wearing a red and white top, jeans and is holding a paint brush with red paint. There are painting supplies on the table next to the two people and a person in the background looking at their phone.
Capturing Chronic Illness 