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Disabilities appear in various ways. Some disabilities can be invisible while silently eroding one’s mental health. For others, disabilities can be debilitating and noticeable, shining a spotlight on them.

Art can be a therapeutic coping mechanism for people with disabilities to release emotions, communicate inexplicable challenges and connect with others. I learned this from having scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine of unknown etiology. I was diagnosed at age 14. It turned my world upside down.

I suffered constant back pain, wore a brace 22 hours a day and attended weekly physical therapy and yoga. My scoliosis made me feel alone and different from my classmates.

I couldn’t try out for the tennis team due to my pain. I stopped playing the clarinet because my brace limited my lung capacity.

Disabilities can be isolating when you have to restrict yourself from activities, experience condescending interactions or face exclusionary infrastructure.

Although I wasn’t bullied like some kids with scoliosis, students still asked insensitive questions, stared and pointed fingers. People often unintentionally hurt those different from them due to a lack of understanding.

My invisible condition made school challenging. Some teachers didn’t believe I was in pain.

Some would ask why I needed help. They said I looked completely fine.

I bottled my........

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