Meredith Montana was diagnosed with severe scoliosis as a child, spent years trying to avoid major surgery, and ultimately underwent a 15-level spinal fusion with 24 screws and two rods.
And then she kept dancing.Known as The Bionic Ballerina, Meredith went on to become a professional dancer and model, perform with Cher, walk New York Fashion Week, and build a career many once feared her spine would make impossible.
In this episode of Don’t Be a Miserable Cow, Meredith and I talk about what scoliosis actually is, growing up in a brace, being told her body might limit her future, the decision to undergo spinal fusion, the reality of recovery, and what it took to trust her body again.
We also talk about why she created The Bionic Project and BioniCon, communities designed to give adults living with scoliosis and spinal fusion the connection, education, and support she wished she had growing up.
This conversation is about so much more than scoliosis.It’s about identity, body image, acceptance, resilience, community and refusing to let a diagnosis decide what’s possible.
If this conversation resonates with you, please like, comment, and subscribe. And share it with someone who needs to hear that a diagnosis is not the whole story.
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