This is the first episode of a 3 part series on Familial Scoliosis. Part one begins with our mother who is the first in the family to be diagnosed at the age of 13, in 1957 with a 60 degree lumbar/30 degree thoracic curvature. She had a full spinal fusion followed by a year in a complete body cast. This intriguing story dives into the emotional side of being fast tracked into a full spinal fusion in less than a year. June is the official month of Scoliosis Awareness. It is time to speak up about your experiences so we can encourage others to screen for scoliosis. Early detection of abnormal curvature of the spine is key to preventing serious complications. There are 4 types of scoliosis - congenital, idiopathic, neural muscular, and degenerative. Eighty percent of scoliosis is considered idiopathic.