KINGSTON, Jamaica – A minor scoliosis diagnosis became the transformative mark in the life of 22-year-old Nickeil Edwards, a Jamaican now charting her way to a nursing career in the United States of America.

The disease, which causes an abnormal curving of the spine, is a progressive, incurable condition that can only be reduced or managed. It was brought to Edwards’ attention during a doctor’s visit to a general practitioner.

Edwards reflected on the life-changing experience and her journey following the diagnosis.

“I was diagnosed at the age of 13 when I was in grade eight. At first, it was by a local Mandeville doctor, but then he referred me to the Kingston Public Hospital… because they specialised in scoliosis,” she explained.

Edwards said that after several visits and consultations, a scoliosis correction surgery was recommended to reduce the severity of the curve in her spine and lessen the pain, but she was unable to afford it.

Luckily for Edwards and several other students at the time, the Duncan Tree Foundation, through an ongoing partnership with the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), was able to fund the surgery and recovery process.

“When I woke up in the ICU, I was asking what was on my chest because it felt heavy, because they had placed bolts and rods in my spine to straighten it,” she said, while recounting her experience.

“The rehabilitation afterwards was crazy; it was literally [like] learning to walk [again] for the first couple days,” she noted, adding that because of early detection and treatment, her condition was not as severe and painful.

Edwards who recently migrated to the United States is now on a path to become a registered nurse. She is currently enrolled in prerequisite classes at the Essex County College in New Jersey on an independent student grant.

As a certified nursing assistant, she described her experience with scoliosis as being instrumental in deciding her career. Though she had an interest in the medical field while growing up, the nurses “stood out” for her.

“Since that experience, I found out that I had a passion for nursing, and it wasn’t until that experience that I realised that nurses were really the backbone of the medical profession,” Edwards said.

She pointed out that her journey was not without roadblocks, as looking back she remembers her sheer determination to achieve her goal.

Reminiscing on selling candies in the streets of Half-Way Tree to fund her online hair business, Edwards said: “I love thinking back to that time because I still can’t believe that I did it. Even though it started as a venture for me to get extra funds to funnel into my business, it turned out to be something that taught me a lot.”

Edwards, who grew up in the heart of a small community in Manchester called Bombay, said that by selling candies she was able to “push her limits”, which in turn boosted her self-confidence and drive.

Little did she know that she would need to exercise that very lesson soon after migrating.

Edwards recounts that after migrating, she began experiencing problems in her household. Still, with a dream in mind, she decided to solicit the public’s help, to move out on her own and still pursue her career.

“I was able to start the GoFundMe because persons online had seen my story… . At first, I was hesitant, and I think that would have been my pride,” she explained.

“But I had to recognise that I needed the help, it was being offered and I took it and it really helped tremendously.”

Though still faced with financial constraints, Edwards, who is a full-time student and nursing assistant, said that she works long hours in the morning and goes to school in the afternoon, because she is determined not to be deterred by adversity.

Edwards said she is encouraged by the belief that “the mind is everything” and that how she speaks of herself and sees herself will have a great impact on her success. Hence, she is not daunted by her experience with scoliosis, as she believes it was a blessing and could “have definitely been worse off”.

She stated that through her experience with the kind nurses at the Kingston Public Hospital and the Duncan Tree Foundation, she is determined to change lives with her story.

“I was able to witness things that pushed me towards my goals and my aspirations in life. Becoming a nurse is one of them, and then, hopefully, having my organisation where I can give back and provide information about scoliosis and scoliosis awareness and just giving back, much like the Duncan Tree Foundation gave back [to me],” she said.

-JIS