Stacy Lewis is an American professional golfer on the U.S. LPGA Tour who also suffers from scoliosis. Stacy’s scoliosis was discovered when she was 11 during a school screening exam. When she bent forward an asymmetry was discovered in her back. X-rays and an exam performed by a pediatric spine deformity specialist confirmed she had scoliosis. She was prescribed a back brace which she wore for roughly 18 hours a day (even while she slept) for 7 ½ years until she turned 18. Unfortunately, like most brace wearers, once out of the brace her curvature continued to progress to the point where surgery was recommended to prevent further progression.

Before the surgery recommendation, Stacy had accepted a scholarship to the University of Arkansas. After the Arkansas golf team coach told her they would hold her spot, Stacy went ahead with the surgery. Because Stacy was a golfer the surgeon performed a “muscle sparing surgery that addressed the deformity from the front of the spine and fused fewer levels of the lumbar spine”. A single rod and 5 screws were inserted into her spine.

After her operation she was required to spend 3 more months in a brace and receive another 6 months of golf rehab. Stacy missed her first college golf season while recovering from the surgery. In 2004, Stacy regained her spot on the University of Arkansas golf team.

When she graduated in 2008, Stacy had 12 NCAA wins including the 2007 NCAA individual championship. In addition, while playing as an invited student during the inaugural LPGA NW Arkansas championship, Stacy “won” the tournament only to have it declared unofficial when they cancelled the rest of the event due to rain. After graduating, Stacy played in her final amateur event, the Curtis Cup at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. During that tournament Stacy helped the United States team win and set a record to become the first player in Curtis Cup history to record 5 wins against 0 losses.

In the summer of 2008, Stacy turned pro in time for the US Women’s Open and took the lead in the world’s most prestigious women’s tournament after 3 rounds. She played in the final group in the final round before finishing in third place. In the winter of 2008, Stacy officially earned her LPGA “Tour Card” by winning the LPGA Qualifying Tournament by 3 strokes over the strongest Q-school field in LPGA history. In spring 2011, Stacy secured her position as one of the best golfers in the world by winning a major championship,  the Kraft Nabisco, and outplaying the #1 player in the world.

Today, Stacy plays a full schedule on the LPGA Tour. She regularly does stretches and strengthening exercises. She is a spokesperson for the Scoliosis Research Society and as such is an inspiration to kids around the world who are going through similar experiences with scoliosis.

Interview with Stacy Lewis

From the May/June issue of ESPNHS Magazine:

ESPNHS: How did you cope with having scoliosis as a teenager?

Lewis: It was really hard. My mom and I got into a lot of fights because I didn’t want to wear my brace. As a high school kid, you’re worried about what you look like, what your clothes are like and what people think of you. I didn’t want anybody to know about my brace, and I tried to hide it as best I could. Part of the reason I’m partnering with the Scoliosis Research Society is to create awareness so kids don’t feel so bad about it.

ESPNHS: What was it like wearing a back brace 18 hours a day for 6 1/2 years?

Lewis: It’s very uncomfortable. And in Texas especially it’s very hot, so the summers are brutal. I would itch, get bruises, sweat a lot. And I had to sleep in it. I turned to golf because that was time I could get out of my brace to practice.

ESPNHS: How did you overcome the disease to become a major champion?

Lewis: I think it created a lot of determination in me. When things get tough, that’s when I get better. Having to go through all I did with my back, I learned to deal with hard situations. And I think for golf that’s perfect, because it’s such a mental game that you have to be able to overcome bad holes and bad shots.

ESPNHS: What other lessons have you learned from your journey?

Lewis: I think the biggest thing is just to never give up. When somebody tells me it can’t be done, I say, “Watch me.” It’s made me who I am.