MY HERO

Kendra Shattles

Madison Shattles is 13 years old and has been a ballet and jazz dancer for many years at the dance studio OCDC in Huntington Beach. 3 years ago when Madison was10 she was told she has scoliosis. Over the last 3 year’s Madison had to wear a full torso body brace 23 hour a day 7 days a week. During dance Madison was able to remove the brace but during all other times the brace must be worn in order to keep the curve in her back from getting worse. The brace was unable to keep the curve from moving and on this past November 17th 2009 Madison had scolioses surgery. This was a major 6 hour surgery were they put two medal rods and many screws in and along her spine. Madison spent a week at St. Joseph’s hospital in Orange learning to sit up, walk and to just do everyday things. Madison has spent the last two months working very hard to recover and get back to dancing. Madison is returning to OCDC dance studio tonight for the first time to take a ballet class. Before surgery Madison was taking 12 classes a week and she was worried she would not be able to return to dance. This has been a very rough road for Madison and with the support of her family, friends and the teachers at OCDC Madison is ready to get her life back. Madison you are my hero and I am so very proud of you for being strong and making it to this great day. Love Mom

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