Leilani | Surfer
2012 vice champion of costa rica surf competition
Diagnosed with severe idiopathic scoliosis in 2012
You may recognize the name Leilani. She is a 16 year-old girl who was the 2012 national vice-champion of Costa Rica and won the Rip Curl GromSearch International in Brazil in 2015. What makes this girl even more extraordinary is that she has achieved these honors while living with severe idiopathic scoliosis. In 2012, Leilani was fitted with a Cheneau Rigo scoliosis brace made by Grant Wood, which has stopped the progression of her scoliotic deformity and thus allowed Leilani to continue to compete as one of the top young surfers in the world. Leilani does not allow scoliosis to prevent her from pursuing her dreams.
“Keep it up, train hard, never give up even if other people say so, follow your heart, and if you’re not having fun, there is no point to it. With confidence, you can pretty much do anything.”
–Leilani
Jason | Competitive Swimmer
Diagnosed with severe idiopathic scoliosis in 2012
Jason is a swimmer that competes on the regional level. He has earned a variety of medals and ribbons, focusing primarily on Butterfly and long distance Freestyle. Most recently, Jason placed second in 100 Fly at YMCA Northwest Regionals and First Place at the annual YMCA swimathon, completing a 4 Mile freestyle in 2 hours.