About the twisted wanderer

Hi, I’m Jacqueline— Jac for short. I’m 33 and living with scoliosis and a spinal fusion, which have shaped much of my journey. Diagnosed at 13 during a routine school exam, I wasn’t given any guidance or resources about my condition. For years, it was a “wait and see” approach that led to chronic pain, misinformation ,countless physical therapy sessions, and eventually a life-changing spinal fusion surgery at 25.

Facing surgery felt isolating and overwhelming. I couldn’t find a community of adults navigating scoliosis or spinal fusion, leaving me to figure it out on my own. It was during that struggle that The Twisted Wanderer was born—a promise to myself to create a space where adults and young adults could come to, for answers, community and resources for their own twisted journey .

So in October of 2023, I launched The Twisted Wanderer to share my journey and connect with others in the scoliosis and spinal fusion community. Through this platform, I’ve started to learn how to embrace my spine and my story while breaking free from societal norms that dismiss chronic pain , mental health , invisible disabilities and disabilities in general.

My mission is simple: to break the stigma around scoliosis, spinal fusion, mental health and related challenges while fostering a supportive community. Whether it’s through sharing knowledge, connecting with others, or advocating for self-care and self-acceptance, I want to show it’s never too late to start understanding your body and living authentically.

Beyond scoliosis, I also navigate ADHD, anxiety, grief, trauma and depression—all of which have shaped my perspective and drive to help others. My healing journey is still ongoing, but I think that’s the best part. I share in real time about everything I’m now just learning about my body, scoliosis, mental health and how to live authentically and true to myself. The journey of life’s twists are never ending but through sharing my stories I hope to help others as they navigate their own twisted paths.

Let’s wander toward healing, understanding, and community, TOGETHER!

Welcome to the Twisted community :)