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"Forever grateful": Princess Eugenie shares sweet tribute to Fergie

<p>Princess Eugenie has shared a lengthy tribute to her mother Sarah Ferguson for believing her pain as a child that led to her scoliosis diagnosis. </p> <p>The royal shared a sweet photo from her childhood, showing her in a school uniform with her mother by her side. </p> <p>The emotional post came on the heels of international scoliosis awareness day, as she thanked the Duchess of York for taking her disability seriously when she was young. </p> <p>"My mum caught my scoliosis early and I was lucky enough to get the help I needed at 12 years old," the post said.</p> <p>"I thank her so much for that and also thank her for the confidence to be proud of my scar. She removed all the stigma around having scoliosis for me by confidently showing people what I'd been through and it took all the fear and anxiety out of being different at such a young age."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8yj72SM3rr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8yj72SM3rr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I am forever grateful and wish everyone to be proud of their scars."</p> <p>The Duchess of York wrote in response to her daughter's tribute, "I am so touched by this and in awe of you. I hope this inspires young people to own their scars and life's journey as you have so beautifully done."</p> <p>The 34-year-old has been an advocate for scoliosis awareness for many years, after having suffered from the condition since she was a child and receiving corrective surgery for it when she was 12-years-old.</p> <p>The royal even used the occasion of her 2018 wedding to husband Jack Brooksbank to draw attention to the cause, displaying her scar proudly in a backless wedding dress and choosing to forgo a veil so that the scar could be seen better.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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4 facts to know about scoliosis

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scoliosis is a common condition where a person’s spine is curved, affecting between two and three percent of the Australian population.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This condition is sometimes hereditary and primarily affects school-aged children, especially among girls.</span></p> <p>What are the signs of scoliosis?</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scoliosis-australia.org/policies-programs/role-of-the-family-doctor/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scoliosis Australia</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, common signs of this condition include one shoulder being higher than another, the head not being centered over the body, and an obvious curve in the spine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height:478.75px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842579/outward-signs-of-scoliosis.gif" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c562f83321eb41fc9f9cedc369d8eade" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are four facts you should know about this unusual condition.</span></p> <p><strong>1. Most types develop just before puberty</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the most common form of scoliosis, is most commonly detected between the ages of 10 and 15. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If asymmetry is detected in a child’s shoulders, shoulder blades, spine, or pelvis, seeing a paediatric spine specialist is recommended. The specialist can then perform an X-ray so the doctor can measure the degree of curvature in the spine.</span></p> <p><strong>2. Early treatment is key</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detecting the condition while children are young can help reduce the risk of the spine continuing to curve.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For children with spines that curve between 20 and 40 degrees, bracing may be needed if the spine continues to curve. However, one third of those with curves in this range do not progress further.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the spine curves more than 40 degrees, surgery may be required to correct the spine.</span></p> <p><strong>3. Scoliosis isn’t just a cosmetic issue</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Without treatment, scoliosis can worsen over time as the child grows up. In those with spines that curve more than 70 degrees, lung function can be impaired, while those with curved spines of 90 degrees or more may experience poorer lung and heart function.</span></p> <p><strong>4. You can still live a normal, active life with scoliosis</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luckily, there are new opportunities to treat scoliosis that didn’t exist only a few years ago that can reduce the need for surgery.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, minor curves are the most common form, with 3 adolescent girls per 1000 having a curve that requires surgery or a brace according to Scoliosis Australia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even for those who require surgery, treatments continue to evolve and have good outcomes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If your child has scoliosis, don’t be afraid of it,” said Michael Vitale MC, of Columbia University.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The key is being aware of it and getting the diagnosis early so you can begin treatment. When treated early, there’s a lot of hope for stopping curve progression and allowing kids to live a perfectly active, normal life.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Scoliosis South Australia / Instagram</span></em></p>

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Fergie on Princess Eugenie's battle with scoliosis: "She would have been put in an asylum and locked up"

<p>Princess Eugenie, who was born with scoliosis, would have been “put in an asylum and locked up” if she was born in a different country, according to her mother the Duchess of York.</p> <p>Sarah Ferguson, 59, attended the 10th anniversary party of her charity Street Child where she opened up about her youngest daughter’s spinal condition.</p> <p>Eugenie, 28, was forced to undergo an invasive surgery at the age of 12 in order to straighten her curved spine. The young royal famously showed off her large scar last month at her wedding as she chose to wear a backless dress.</p> <p>Speaking to guests at Kensington Palace, Fergie said: “I was never more proud to see my tall, beautiful, upstanding daughter full of courage.</p> <p>“She had scoliosis. In other countries in the world she would be put in an asylum and locked up.”</p> <p>She went on to praise her son-in-law Jack Brooksbank for “trying to tame the lion, which is my daughter”, as reported by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/" target="_blank"><em>Hello!</em></a> magazine.</p> <p>The operation saw Eugenie grow two inches taller and in 2002, 12-inch metal rods were inserted into her back at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in north London.</p> <p>Eugenie took to Instagram to share photos of her X-ray to help raise awareness for International Scoliosis Day. She is currently working with the organisation to help build a new ward for a hospital in Stanmore, north London.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkp5BlUgEAT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkp5BlUgEAT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Today is International Scoliosis Awareness Day and I’m very proud to share my X Rays for the very first time. I also want to honour the incredible staff at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital who work tirelessly to save lives and make people better. They made me better and I am delighted to be their patron of the Redevelopment Appeal. To hear more of my story visit http://www.rnohcharity.org/the-appeal/princess-eugenie-s-story @the.rnoh.charity #TheRNOHCharity #RedevelopmentAppeal #RNOH #NHS</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/princesseugenie/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Princess Eugenie</a> (@princesseugenie) on Jun 30, 2018 at 8:53am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Metal rods are inserted to help lengthen the spine as the child grows, and once they have reached adulthood, the rods are then removed.</p> <p>Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/mailonsunday/index.html" target="_blank"><em>Mail on Sunday</em></a><em>,</em> Fergie said: “We thought it was a small curvature but it was mammoth.</p> <p>“Her bones had oscillated to such a degree that by the time she reached 18 she would have been a hunchback. It was horrendous.</p> <p>“My little girl was in that operating theatre for seven hours, but she is straight and she will stay straight.”</p>

News

Princess Eugenie opens up about her health struggle

<p>Being allowed to have her own Instagram account, as she’s not likely to ever ascend the throne in the British Royal Family, Princess Eugenie provides some entertaining insight into what life is like as a royal.</p> <p>She candidly shares behind-the-scenes and throwback photos, like the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2018/06/princess-eugenie-shares-rare-photo-of-buckingham-palace-in-tribute-to-father-prince-andrew/">rare recent snap</a> of her father Prince Andrew inside Buckingham Palace celebrating his first Trooping the Colour as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.</p> <p>However, Princess Eugenie’s most recent post revealed the health struggle she has gone through with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), which she has suffered since the age of 12.</p> <p>Shining a light for International Scoliosis Awareness Day, the royal – who is ninth in line to the throne – shared two of her personal X-rays along with four other photos (scroll through the gallery above) to help spread the word about the condition, as well as thanking the hospital and staff that treated her.</p> <p>“I’m very proud to share my X Rays for the very first time,” Princess Eugenie wrote.</p> <p>“I also want to honour the incredible staff at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital who work tirelessly to save lives and make people better. They made me better and I am delighted to be their patron of the Redevelopment Appeal,” she added.</p> <p>Opening up about the corrective surgery she underwent, Eugenie also revealed in an article on the hospital’s website, “This was, of course, a scary prospect for a 12-year-old; I can still vividly remember how nervous I felt in the days and weeks before the operation. But my abiding memories of RNOH, where the surgery was carried out, are happy ones – everyone there was so warm and friendly, and they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and relaxed.”</p> <p>The operation, which took eight hours, involved surgeons inserting eight-inch titanium rods into either side of her spine, along with one-and-a-half inch screws at the top of her neck.</p> <p>The princess continued, “After three days in intensive care, I spent a week on a ward and six days in a wheelchair, but I was walking again after that.”</p> <p>Now the proud patron of the hospital’s Redevelopment Appeal and the new state-of-the-art facility – Princess Eugenie House – which has been named after her, the royal further acknowledged, “Without the care I received at the RNOH I wouldn’t look the way I do now; my back would be hunched over. And I wouldn’t be able to talk about scoliosis the way I now do and help other children who come to me with the same problem.”</p> <p>She continued, “My back problems were a huge part of my life, as they would be for any 12-year-old. Children can look at me now and know that the operation works. I’m living proof of the ways in which the hospital can change people’s lives.”</p> <p>To see Princess Eugenie's X-rays and photos of her visiting the hospital as a proud patron, scroll through the gallery above. </p>

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