At just 11 years old, Karleigh Miles is turning her health journey into a message of strength, confidence and advocacy.
Miles, a Durant, Okla., resident and the current National United Miss Southern Plains Preteen, was diagnosed with scoliosis at age nine.
What began as a difficult adjustment quickly became the foundation for her advocacy work.
Scoliosis affects nearly 3% of the U.S. population. Although there is no cure, early treatment and consistent care can help manage the condition.
For Miles, that meant learning to live with a back brace, something that changed her daily life almost overnight.
Simple daily tasks, like sitting comfortably or choosing clothes that made her feel confident, suddenly became challenges. Even getting a good night’s sleep required patience and adjustment.
“It was really hard at first. Learning to wear my back brace took time because it was uncomfortable, especially when I was trying to sleep,” said Miles.
Like many children undergoing treatment, she had to adapt both physically and emotionally, navigating not just discomfort but the confidence that can be shaken at such a young age.
Still, Miles refused to let those challenges define her.
At just 11 years old, she continues to embrace the things she loves, playing Roblox and Minecraft, watching Marvel movies and dreaming of one day opening her own slime bar.
Over time, she said, facing these challenges made her stronger. Each adjustment, uncomfortable night and small victory built resilience.
So rather than letting her diagnosis define her, Miles used it as a starting point to help others.
Her diagnosis inspired the Bracefully Karleigh Scoliosis Awareness Initiative, supporting children on similar journeys.
“After my scoliosis diagnosis, I knew I wanted to turn something hard into something that could help others,” said Miles. “We created Bracefully Karleigh to help other kids like me navigate their scoliosis journey, feel less alone, and know that they are strong, brave and supported every step of the way.”
Through her platform, Miles bravely shares her story, connects with other children and advocates for awareness efforts, including Choctaw Nation Goes Green for Scoliosis Awareness.
The initiative encourages Choctaw Nation employees, schools and families to wear green in recognition of National Scoliosis Awareness Day June 26.
“When our whole community comes together, it can make a big difference. Even something as simple as wearing green can help a child feel seen, supported and strong, and that’s why it matters so much to me.”
According to scoliosis.org, 1 in 40 children and up to 1 in 3 adults have scoliosis, with many going undiagnosed for years.
Health professionals claim that scoliosis often develops during periods of rapid growth, making early detection critical.
“Early detection is important because it helps doctors find scoliosis sooner and start treatment early. This can help prevent it from getting worse and may help avoid long-term problems with your spine. It can also possibly reduce the need for surgery later on, which is why getting checked early is so important,” said Miles.
Miles’ advocacy is also shaped by her experiences living with autism and ADHD.
“Having ADHD and autism has taught me to never give up, to speak up for myself, and to understand that being different doesn’t make me weak, it actually makes me stronger.”
In addition to raising awareness, Miles creates care bags for children receiving braces at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Looking ahead, Miles hopes to expand her efforts beyond her local community by increasing her outreach, involving more schools in early detection efforts, and continuing to support children across the country.
She hopes to continue growing her social media presence so she can reach a larger audience and keep making care bags for patients at Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Karleigh especially wants other kids facing health challenges to feel encouraged and supported.
“I want other kids with scoliosis to know that they are brave, strong and seen. It does get easier, and having scoliosis doesn’t stop you from making your dreams come true. You are not alone; your family, your community, and people like me are here to support you. We might be bent, but we are not broken.”
Show your support by wearing green June 29 and sharing photos on social media with #ChoctawNationGoesGreenForScoliosis.