Senior Kaia Briggs couldn’t even manage moving from a bed for weeks. 

Gone from school, work and outside activities for a period of time, Briggs was forced to lay in bed day in and day out, unable to even move for long periods of time. 

“I had surgery so that I could have a normal life down the road,” she said. “I suffered from severe scoliosis and needed to have spinal fusion to revert complications that were developing from it.”

Because of having surgery in February of this year, Brigg’s life was changed, for good and bad. 

Briggs was under anesthesia for over eight hours, while two titanium rods and 24 screws were attached to her spine. 

She was medically excused from work and school for one month, but that was hopeful, as she didn’t return to work until after two months under extreme conditions, and not returning to school in person at all. 

While remote, Brigg’s struggles continued.

“I couldn’t even manage moving from a bed for weeks,” she said. “It was a challenge to sit up and get work done and I am grateful to have had teachers willing to work around my homebound schedule.”

During this time, Briggs said she was grateful for her mother, helping her get up from bed.

Today, she can lead a normal life, being able to attend her senior year in person.

“I am still barely into the healing process,” Briggs said. “I still suffer from occasional pain and feel very stiff. Until I’m completely healed, I have to act under restrictions and be careful with what I do every day.”