ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month since it’s usually when kids are home from school and wear clothing that’s more conducive to health checks. Doctors say it’s important to highlight the growing need for early detection and awareness, and now one Kentucky family is sharing their story to help others.

11 year-old Gracie Rager has been through a lot over the past three years. Due to her severe case of scoliosis, Gracie's had to wear a brace and undergo three different surgeries.

“I had two almost 90 degree curves that would've kept getting worse if I didn’t have my surgery,” Rager said.

The most trying time during Gracie’s journey was having to spend a month in the hospital after her third surgery in late March. 

“To past the time I was playing games and stuff. It encouraged me just to know by the end of it, I’d have a straight back,” she said.

In her free time, Gracie enjoys playing games and the piano and creating content on her YouTube channel. During her month in the hospital, she used the opportunity to try and educate and encourage others about scoliosis. 

“I made some of them to help kids who were doing the same thing that I was doing,” Rager said.

Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves sideways and it often first shows up during childhood or teenage years. When Rager decided to raise awareness, her parents supported her every step of the way.

Her mother, Taran wanted to share her family’s story in order to get parents in the habit of checking their kids for signs especially during growth spurts.

“Check your kids’ backs, more than just once a year at their well checks because the sooner that you realize they have scoliosis the sooner you can get them into treatment,” Taran said.

Rager’s doctor, Dr. John Dimar from the Norton Leatherman Spine Center, said that scoliosis could lead to some serious health problem like heart and lung issues since severe curves can distort your chest. Dr. Dimar said that if caught early enough, correcting the spine might not need to require surgery.

“Always encourage parents to bend their children over and look at their back. You’ll know right away when you look at the shoulder blades when they are not symmetrical for example,” DiMar said.