A teen from Belize who has scoliosis is now working with people with physical therapy jobs in his recovery from surgery.
Riley Armstrong, a 13-year-old, was born with severe scoliosis, reports Fox Tampa Bay. According to the Mayo Clinic, scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine, the cause of which is often unknown.
A lot had to happen before Riley was able to work with people with physical therapy jobs as doctors in his home country reportedly couldn't help him. However, Tampa Bay Area Pediatrician Dr. Karena Neri was working in a mission clinic in Belize and she helped start an effort to bring Riley to the U.S. so his condition could be treated.
In the U.S., Riley received the surgery he sorely needed and has been recovering.
"When I wake up, I was straight and I love it. It's better than before," he told the news source.
Riley has also been undergoing physical therapy and he says that his favorite activity is riding a specially built bike.
According to the Mayo Clinic, while physical therapy can't stop scoliosis, such exercises can improve overall health and well-being.