Brandy Novicka

Chronic pain Advocate: Spine advocate

Diagnosed as a child with scoliosis and a “hole in my spine” which is Spina Bifida Occulta. Raised to be an athlete and had to endure my first scoliosis fusion at 12. That didn’t stop me I went on to play college basketball and went to school to be a gym teacher and work with disabled community. At 23 was facing more issues with spine and had the original rods and screws to lesson pain. My medical diagnosis was severe with now having rotoscoliosis, pars defect, spondyloisis, spondylolthesis and Degenerative Disc disease. Was told I would lose all mobility before 30. Decided to pick up and move to Las Vegas to make as much money as possible and work in the culinary union to have the best benefits. I like to prove every doctor wrong and as many times as I fall I pick myself back up and keep going. Now I’m 5 years post op from having Lumbar fusion and dedicate my time to fitness and being in less pain and helping others like myself.