{"id":2602,"date":"2026-04-13T22:05:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/family.opsb.com\/?p=2602"},"modified":"2026-04-13T22:06:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:06:58","slug":"from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/","title":{"rendered":"From Scoliosis Patient to Pediatric Orthotist: Sophia\u2019s Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/#Learning_to_Live_and_Sleep_in_a_Brace\" >Learning to Live (and Sleep) in a Brace<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/#The_Power_of_a_Support_System\" >The Power of a Support System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/#A_Career_Sparked_by_Care\" >A Career Sparked by Care<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/#Choosing_Pediatrics_and_Coming_Full_Circle\" >Choosing Pediatrics and Coming Full Circle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/#Caring_for_Kids_with_Lived_Experience\" >Caring for Kids with Lived Experience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/#A_Story_of_Care_Passed_Forward\" >A Story of Care, Passed Forward<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sophia still remembers the day her scoliosis journey began because it wasn\u2019t in a doctor\u2019s office, but at school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was a routine grade-school scoliosis screening with the school nurse. When she returned to class, she realized she was the only student holding a letter recommending a follow-up visit with her pediatrician. At the time, she didn\u2019t fully understand what it meant. She just knew something was different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1030\" height=\"957\" src=\"https:\/\/family.opsb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Sophia-Valls-Headshot-1030x957.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2606\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.0763085978557914;width:204px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Sophia-Valls-Headshot-1030x957.png 1030w, https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Sophia-Valls-Headshot-300x279.png 300w, https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Sophia-Valls-Headshot-768x714.png 768w, https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Sophia-Valls-Headshot-193x179.png 193w, https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Sophia-Valls-Headshot-705x655.png 705w, https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Sophia-Valls-Headshot.png 1057w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her pediatrician confirmed the nurse\u2019s observations and referred her to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Even then, the diagnosis hadn\u2019t fully sunk in. It wasn\u2019t until she met with her orthotist for her evaluation that reality hit\u2014she was going to wear a brace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking back now, Sophia remembers feeling confused more than anything else. She didn\u2019t yet understand scoliosis, bracing, or how much this experience would shape her future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learning_to_Live_and_Sleep_in_a_Brace\"><\/span>Learning to Live (and Sleep) in a Brace<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sophia was prescribed a nighttime scoliosis brace, meaning she only wore her brace while sleeping at home. While any type of scoliosis bracing can be challenging, nighttime wear allowed her to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities without her brace during the day which made a big emotional difference as a teen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once she adjusted to sleeping in her brace, it became routine. Eventually it even felt strange <em>not<\/em> to sleep in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also learned early on that scoliosis treatment isn\u2019t one-size-fits-all. Many factors determine whether a patient wears a brace full time or only at night, and for the right presentation, nighttime bracing can reduce the emotional burden that sometimes comes with daytime wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Power_of_a_Support_System\"><\/span>The Power of a Support System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sophia credits her success in bracing to the people around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her first line of support was her multidisciplinary care team, her pediatrician, orthopedist, radiologist, and orthotist who were all working together. To Sophia, great clinical care wasn\u2019t about a single provider; it was about collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her family played an equally critical role. They helped ensure she met her wear time, donned her brace correctly, and never missed an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And then there was her best friend who was diagnosed with scoliosis shortly after Sophia and prescribed a full-time brace. Having someone her own age who truly understood made all the difference. They joked that when they wore their braces, they had \u201cabs of plastic.\u201d That shared humor and relatability helped normalize what could have felt isolating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Career_Sparked_by_Care\"><\/span>A Career Sparked by Care<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Sophia\u2019s story begins with scoliosis, her path into orthotics wasn\u2019t immediate. She always knew she wanted to work with people and with her hands, and she explored several career paths before discovering orthotics and prosthetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One person made a lasting impression: her own orthotist, Cara. She took the time to explain every step, set clear expectations, and ensure Sophia felt comfortable both physically and emotionally. That care planted a seed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sophia remembers thinking, <em>I want to pass forward the care that was given to me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The moment everything clicked came during her first day shadowing at an O&amp;P clinic as an undergraduate student. She observed a bilateral AFO fitting for a toddler with delayed motor milestones. By the end of the appointment, the child stood independently and even attempted a step. The parents were overjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was it. Sophia knew: this was the work she was meant to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choosing_Pediatrics_and_Coming_Full_Circle\"><\/span>Choosing Pediatrics and Coming Full Circle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During O&amp;P school, Sophia knew pediatrics was where she belonged. When she visited Boston O&amp;P, now OP Specialty Bracing, she knew it was where she wanted to complete her residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her New England residency included rotations across multiple Boston Children&#8217;s Hospital locations, exposing her to a wide range of diagnoses and pediatric specialties. She learned from dedicated clinicians and, after certification, stayed on as part of the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sophia enjoys orthotics and prosthetics serve patients of all ages, diagnoses, and goals. Whether a child needs a scoliosis brace, AFOs, or a cranial helmet, the purpose is always the same: improving quality of life for that child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orthotics, she says, is the perfect blend of healthcare, art, and engineering and she feels honored to be part of the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Caring_for_Kids_with_Lived_Experience\"><\/span>Caring for Kids with Lived Experience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, Sophia brings both clinical expertise and personal understanding to every patient interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a former scoliosis patient, the phrase \u201ctreat others as you would want to be treated\u201d carries real meaning. She strives to provide the highest level of care not just because she\u2019s been there but because every child deserves it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When working with teens who may be struggling with bracing, Sophia focuses on listening and education. She helps families feel informed and supported throughout treatment. Often, it\u2019s the parents who express the most gratitude when Sophia chooses to share her own story who are reassured by hearing from someone who truly understands the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Story_of_Care_Passed_Forward\"><\/span>A Story of Care, Passed Forward<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sophia\u2019s story is a reminder that pediatric orthotic care is about more than devices and diagnoses. It\u2019s about empathy, trust, teamwork, and meeting kids where they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What began as a confusing school screening became a calling; one that now allows Sophia to support families walking the same path she once did herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Disclaimer:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>OPSB products and products distributed by OrthoPediatrics Corp. and its subsidiaries should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult your pediatrician or orthopedic specialist for professional advice. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow your doctor&#8217;s recommendations and instructions.<\/em><em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MAM-MM-166<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sophia still remembers the day her scoliosis journey began because it wasn\u2019t in a doctor\u2019s office, but at school. It was a routine grade-school scoliosis screening with the school nurse. When she returned to class, she realized she was the only student holding a letter recommending a follow-up visit with her pediatrician. At the time, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[32,24,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-scoliosis-condition","category-condition","category-stories"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>From Scoliosis Patient to Pediatric Orthotist: Sophia\u2019s Story - OPSB Family Resource Hub<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/opsb.com\/family-resources\/from-scoliosis-patient-to-pediatric-orthotist-sophias-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Scoliosis Patient to Pediatric Orthotist: Sophia\u2019s Story - OPSB Family Resource Hub\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sophia still remembers the day her scoliosis journey began because it wasn\u2019t in a doctor\u2019s office, but at school. 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