From Scoliosis to State Champion

Briella was just 7 when she first stepped onto a wrestling mat.

What began as a way to motivate her brother quickly sparked a passion of her own. Now 15, she competes for her high school team and regularly takes on local tournaments and state championships.

But her journey to the mat came with an unexpected curve. That same year, Briella was diagnosed with scoliosis.

At the end of second grade, following a three-inch growth spurt, her pediatrician detected a 48-degree curve in her spine during a routine exam. “I remember her being in front of me, and she had this big hip hump that I’d never seen before. We had no clue,” said Kayla, Briella’s mom.

Her doctor referred the family to Shriners Children’s Spokane, where William Bronson, M.D., and Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) manager Clint Hastings, L/CPO, began treatment for Briella’s scoliosis. Though her curve was already severe enough to consider spinal fusion, the team chose to delay surgery to allow Briella more time to grow. Instead, they fit her with a series of braces to manage the progression of the curve.

Despite the challenges, Briella and her family found comfort in the connections they built with her care team. “He’d always ask what sports she played, and when we said wrestling, you could tell it surprised him,” Kayla said. “Clint was especially great at calming my nerves and explaining everything about her brace.”

Briella has kept all four of her braces – her “trophies” – as reminders of her resilience.

During her treatment, Kayla worked with the hospital’s POPS team to surprise Briella with Higgy Bears – stuffed animals customized with braces that mirrored her own. Designed to help children feel less alone, each bear reflects a patient’s unique journey. Inspired by the comfort they brought her, Briella later raised funds and donated more than 50 Higgy Bears to other scoliosis patients, paying forward that same sense of support.

After four years of bracing, Briella underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2023. Through her recovery, nurses like Sierra Brevik, RN, brought reassurance and compassion to both Briella and her family. “It was tough being in the hospital, but Sierra was incredible. She cared for Bella like she was her own,” said Kayla.

Inspired by Briella and her resilience coming out of spinal fusion, Sierra signed her son up for wrestling in the same club their family hosts at a local high school. “We ran into them at a tournament, and I just started crying and gave her a big hug,” Kayla said. “The fact that she went out of her way to do that … I’ll never forget her.”

Once cleared to return to the sport she loves, Briella didn’t hold back. She resumed wrestling year-round and quickly found her stride again. This year, she claimed her first district title and finished the season ranked No. 1 in 4A with an outstanding 40–1 record.

For Briella, wrestling means connection and opportunities to make new friends across Washington. “I love meeting people from across the state who share the same passion,” she said. Stronger and more confident than ever, she’s grateful for the care she received and plans to compete throughout high school and into college. “I’m glad I had the surgery. Without it, things could have gotten worse, and wrestling might not have been safe.”

“Briella went through everything with such grace,” Kayla said. “It’s amazing to think that just a year and a half ago she was getting cleared to wrestle again. Now, you’d never know her back is fused.”

Wherever the future leads, one thing is certain: Briella will meet it head-on with strength and determination.