A teenage girl’s school prom dream came true after she spent three years in a back brace to help fix her curved spine.
Olivia Sheldon, now 16, had to wear the support for 23 hours a day after being diagnosed with scoliosis.
The keen figure skater was allowed to take it off in May as her spine was perfectly straight – just in time for prom.
Her mum Nicola said: “Prom was an incredibly emotional day.
“When Olivia tried the prom dress on in the shop, her spine looked perfectly straight.
“Olivia had achieved what she wanted to achieve, and as her mum, it was brilliant.”
Her daughter, a keen figure skater, was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 13.
They had struggled to find a skating outfit to fit her so her mum for a Christmas present took her for a dress fitting.
Nicola recalled: “The dressmaker, Fiona, a retired nurse, noticed Olivia’s spine curved to the side and said she might have scoliosis. She advised us to go to our GP, who referred Olivia to Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
“We are eternally grateful to Fiona for spotting the early signs.”
The teen, from Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves to the side and twists.
Nicola said: “It’s been a tough few years, but Olivia has had that inner strength and been given superb care.
Olivia was really disciplined and committed to wearing the brace. We are incredibly proud of her.
“She was motivated by having this vision in the future – wearing her prom dress.”
During her treatment, Olivia continued to attend dance, gymnastics and figure skating classes. She is now in the top five skaters in the country at her level.
Lee Breakwell, a consultant at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, said: “Olivia’s commitment was excellent. As a result, she now has near perfect posture and an extremely low risk of her spinal curve progressing as an adult.”
