Mouton spreading awareness of Scoliosis

June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, a fact Megan Mouton wants to make more people aware of.
Mouton, 14, an eighth grader at Mount Carmel, brought her message Tuesday to the Abbeville City Council during its regular meeting.
“I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis in January of this year,” Mouton told the council.
She explained the condition, which is a deformity of the spine.
“Eighty-five percent of the cases are classified as Idiopathic,” Mouton said, “which means the cause is unknown. The primary age of on-set Scoliosis is 10 to 15 years old. Females are eight times more likely to develop a curve that requires treatment.
“Scoliosis affects two to three percent of the population, or an estimated seven million people in the United States.”
Mouton stressed that the issue should not be overlooked.
“Scoliosis impacts the quality of life,” she said. “It puts pressure on the heart and causes lower lung capacity. It limits physical activity.
“Early detection is the key.”
Mouton is not alone with this, even among her peers.
“This year alone I am one of three students at Mount Carmel with advanced Scoliosis that will require surgery,” Mouton said.
Her surgery is scheduled for June 18 at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.
“They will place rods and screws down my back,” Mouton explained. “This is a major surgery.”
Mouton, along with her parents Mike and Crystal Mouton, and sister, Alyssa, will spend the day prior to the surgery with a family from Madisonville. The daughter of that family, with whom Megan Mouton became friends on Facebook, is scheduled to have the same procedure with the same surgeon.
“We are very proud of the direction she is taking to heighten awareness for all,” Mike and Cyrstal Mouton said of Megan. “Her positive attitude will not only help others but will help her heal mentally and physically.”
Aylssa Mouton echoed her parents’ sentiments about her sister.
“I am proud of her bravery and standing up to help others by trying to make this condition known,” Alyssa Mouton said.
Megan Mouton asked the Abbeville Council to join her in spreading awareness.
“I ask the City of Abbeville to join the National Scoliosis Foundation in naming the month of June National Scoliosis Month,” Mouton requested.
Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance moved that the council do just that. Councilman Wayne Landry offered a second. Both men said family members have been affected by the condition.
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. said he is impressed with Mouton’s effort.
“I want to commend her,” Broussard said. “I want her to know that she is not alone in this fight.”
Crystal Mouton said she is grateful for the support shown for her daughter by all.
“She has the support from all family and friends and now knowing the City is helping to spread awareness is amazing,” Crystal Mouton said. “It shows if you stand up to help others many people will rally with you. If she can help one person to not have to have this major surgery her pain will be all worth it.”