Young artist translates scoliosis pain into beauty and outreach

OlaRose Ndubuisi, a young artist dealing with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, has turned her pain into a source of beauty and outreach through her art. Diagnosed after a growth spurt as she entered high school, OlaRose experienced constant pain and the challenge of wearing a back brace for 22 hours daily. Finding solace and expression in painting, music, and poetry, she translated her scoliosis journey into art that communicates her emotions and the beauty she discovered amidst adversity. Inspired by the resilience of nature, OlaRose saw a reflection of her strength in the curved trees that thrive despite their shape. Her desire to support others led to the creation of “Finding Scoliosis Kindly” (FiSK), a project aimed at promoting scoliosis awareness and healthy coping mechanisms. Through FiSK, she conducted an educational research survey reaching 23 U.S. states and 18 countries, funded scoliosis screenings, and educated hundreds in the Rochester community and Nigeria. Recognized as a 2024 Prudential Emerging Visionary, OlaRose continues to inspire and aid others, embodying compassion and resilience in the face of her challenges.

Source: Rochester First