Hannah, the young niece of photographer Julia Cybularz, is fitted for a back brace in this photo from Cybularz's "Breaking the Girl" project. For several years, Cybularz documented Hannah's struggle with idiopathic scoliosis.
Hannah, the young niece of photographer Julia Cybularz, is fitted for a back brace in this photo from Cybularz's "Breaking the Girl" project. For several years, Cybularz documented Hannah's struggle with idiopathic scoliosis.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah's first portrait in a brace. Hoping to avoid surgery, she would wear one for 23 hours out of the day.
Hannah's first portrait in a brace. Hoping to avoid surgery, she would wear one for 23 hours out of the day.
Julia Cybularz
A close-up of Cybularz's spine. She, like Hannah, has scoliosis. But she refused to wear a brace as a child and never had surgery.
A close-up of Cybularz's spine. She, like Hannah, has scoliosis. But she refused to wear a brace as a child and never had surgery.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah would have to get fitted for a new brace every nine months.
Hannah would have to get fitted for a new brace every nine months.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah would keep the brace a secret from her classmates. "What does it feel like," Cybularz asked, "to go through puberty under this veil of secrecy by wearing a brace that hides you?"
Hannah would keep the brace a secret from her classmates. "What does it feel like," Cybularz asked, "to go through puberty under this veil of secrecy by wearing a brace that hides you?"
Julia Cybularz
Hannah holds an accordion-like corset.
Hannah holds an accordion-like corset.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah floats in a pool.
Hannah floats in a pool.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah would only take off the brace for an hour a day to take a bath.
Hannah would only take off the brace for an hour a day to take a bath.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah takes a break from her brace.
Hannah takes a break from her brace.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah walks her dog.
Hannah walks her dog.
Julia Cybularz
In 2013, Hannah found out that the braces had failed to help her condition. Her only option was surgery. This is the incision from the procedure.
In 2013, Hannah found out that the braces had failed to help her condition. Her only option was surgery. This is the incision from the procedure.
Julia Cybularz
Hannah after her surgery. She had to miss six weeks of her first year of middle school.
Hannah after her surgery. She had to miss six weeks of her first year of middle school.
Julia Cybularz
A comparison of Hannah's X-rays before and after her surgery. Today, her back has healed beautifully and she's entering her first year of high school.
A comparison of Hannah's X-rays before and after her surgery. Today, her back has healed beautifully and she's entering her first year of high school.
Julia Cybularz