Meet Usoa Miss Midwest
Meet Sage Spear, a passionate competitor from Whitewater, Wisconsin, who is gearing up to represent the Midwest at the national pageant for United States of America’s Miss in San Antonio, Texas, this July.
At the age of 11, Sage was diagnosed with scoliosis, an experience that has deeply influenced her perspective and inspired her platform,
Every Stem Has A Story.
Through her advocacy, she aims to inspire others facing similar challenges while making a meaningful impact in her community. Stay tuned as Sage graces the stage, sharing her inspiring story and spreading positivity wherever she goes!
about the cause - Sage's stem story
My story echoes many others I’ve seen; I was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11. My pediatrician pointed out my spinal curve to my mom, and in a way, it felt all too familiar. My older brother, Forrest, was born with scoliosis. By the time I was diagnosed, he had endured an open back surgery showing limited improvement. Growing up, I knew about his struggles, but I had yet to grasp what that meant for me. I was informed that I would need to wear a back brace and was fitted for one shortly after.
All I could think was ‘Why me?’ In my world, this was the worst possible thing that could happen to a middle school girl. I would have to wear my back brace to school–how embarrassing. I refused to wear it. I didn’t want to. I could not get over the way I looked wearing it, or the way others looked at me. Everyone claimed they couldn’t notice unless I pointed it out. To this day, the reactions to finding out about my scoliosis remain unchanged. “I wouldn’t know unless you told me.”
When I reflect on the years I had to wear my back brace, I wish to tell my younger self how minuscule it really was. Since then, my older brother has had a full spinal reconstruction, my dad has been diagnosed with degenerative scoliosis, and I’ve come to the realization that my scoliosis doesn’t define me. Now, I compete in pageants despite my scoliosis, and I aspire to raise awareness and support funding for scoliosis research.
My scoliosis has made me stronger, and I hope every person with a scoliosis diagnosis realizes that they are not alone in the way that they feel.
