Exhibition at Brown’s medical school offers multi-faceted view of patients with scoliosis

"The way that we physicians can, in a few hours with the help of anesthesia, change the shape of the human body to a shape that is less painful and perhaps more acceptable to the person seeking treatment is important for students to see," Diebo said. "It reminds us that the point of all of the studying and exams is ultimately to be able to make a tremendous impact on a patient's quality of life."

Multiple views of scoliosis

Diebo had seen similar Back to Healing exhibitions online and in person, and was moved by the power of the portraits to evoke empathy. He then met Marcus John, who founded the organization to improve quality of life for people affected by scoliosis through mental health awareness, empowerment, education and advocacy. Diebo, who now serves as director of research for Back to Healing, felt the project would be a great fit with the Warren Alpert Medical School's focus on treating the whole patient, including beyond their physical condition.

"A Curved Reality" highlights and celebrates the stories of seven scoliosis patients, ranging in age from 11 to 75 years old. In the accompanying stories, each shares their thoughts about how their spinal condition has affected their lives. All of the photographs were captured by Rhode Island resident and photographer Bilindoff Joseph.

The portrait photos of Joxel Baez show large eyes framed by long lashes; the back photos reveal a surgical scar running from his neck, just under the ends of his braids, to his waist. In his story, Baez shares that while he was initially nervous "and a bit scared" when he was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 17, he was also relieved to have an explanation for his back pain.

Not all patients have external scars, and a nonprofessional eye viewing the back photo of Melodie Goncalves may pay more attention to the butterfly tattoo on her neck than the line of her spine. Goncalves, who was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 11, shared this reflection: "I sometimes feel stressed because I feel it shouldn't be a big deal, but it is for me. It affects me and what I can do as I get older."

Both attention-getting spinal disorders as well as those that are invisible to others can have a profound effect on a patient, Diebo said. He's conducted research showing a relatively low awareness of scoliosis, and has found that patients in underserved areas experience a disadvantage in terms of accessing treatment. Diebo hopes the exhibition will bring awareness to scoliosis and address stigma of spine curvatures.

"I'd like viewers to see that it's normal to have scoliosis, and it's also normal to have treatment or surgery or scars," Diebo said.

The exhibit in the Warren Alpert Medical School at 222 Richmond St. in Providence is open to the public on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September.

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