Being Grace intends to raise awareness of Scoliosis and shows us the emotional consequences of the condition through the story of Grace, a young giraffe who is diagnosed at an early age. With her curved neck, Grace finds herself bullied at school because she looks different from the other giraffes. But her crooked neck allows her to do something none of hte other giraffes can do, and she beings to understand that something that may seem wrong can actually be right. Grace learns that all that matters is what she believes, not what other people say. She finds joy in just being herself, and accepts that all she can do is be "Grace." Scoliosis is an often misunderstood condition, generally relegated to the back of the funding line and mimized to just a "skeletal disorder." Yet, it impacts more than 12 million people in the U.S. alone, about 4.5% of the population, with 500 more being diagnosed each day. What used to be a condition mainly of young white girls, now impacts people of both genders and all ethnic backgrounds and ages. Billions of dollars are spent each year on patient treatments (more than $3 billion), but very little is being done to discover a cause or a cure. More than 8,000 patients who underwent Scoliosis surgery in their youth become permanently disabled each year, with a 14-year reduction in life expectancy. While the physical effects of Scoliosis are complex and can be difficult and painful to manage, so are the emotional aspects. It creates a deformity, an imperfection, in a world that praises beauty and expects our youth to be perfect. What makes it more difficult is that the outward symptoms of the condition (the curved spine) begin to emerge in young girls and boys at a time when physical appearance can greatly impact self-esteem. Being Grace can help these young children to understand the condition and have compassion for themselves and others who are different. Just like Grace, they can discover self-acceptance and realize that perfect comes in all shapes, sizes and colors -- even crooked. " Being Grace is a beautifully written story that not only tackles body image at such a tender stage, but also shows how to rise above how others view you. A great resource for parents, Child Life Specialists, teachers or anyone who may need to better understand and explain Scoliosis in a child-friendly manner." Christina Dwire, Teacher & Child Life Specialist Being Grace intends to raiseawareness of Scoliosis and shows usthe emotional consequences of the condition through the story of Grace, a younggiraffe who is diagnosed at an early age. With her curved neck, Grace finds herself bullied at schoolbecause she looks different from the other giraffes. But her crooked neck allows her to dosomething none of the other giraffes can do, and she begins to understand thatsomething that may seem wrong can actually be right. Grace learns that all that matters is whatshe believes, not what other people say.She finds joy in just being herself, and accepts that all she can do is be"Grace." Take a journey to self-acceptance with Grace, as sherealizes that perfect comes in all shapes, sizes and colors - evencrooked. " Being Grace is a beautifully writtenstory that not only tackles body image at such a tender stage, but also showshow to rise above how others view you. A great resource for parents, Child LifeSpecialists, teachers or anyone who may need to better understand and explainScoliosis in a child-friendly manner." Christina Dwire, Teacher & Child Life Specialist As an Author, Speaker and MindBody Coach, June Hyjek offers comfort and encouragement through her books,meditations and workshops to people who are experiencing the challenges lifecan offer, leading them to a place of grace and peace.  Her philosophy on pain and stress emphasizesthe emotional impact of those challenges, and the importance of creatingphysical, emotional and spiritual well-being.  Juneis a graduate of the Advanced Training Program at the Center for MindBodyMedicine, with a focus on mindbody therapies for pain and stress. In additionto her training at the Center, she is a Certified Hypnotherapist with theAmerican Alliance of Hypnotists and is a Reiki Master.  June has also studied and continues topractice a wide variety of meditation techniques, including mindfulness,transcendental, Chi Kung, chanting and mantras, as well as many Buddhist andHindu practices.  Personally,June deals with debilitating complications from Scoliosis and has moved throughthe physical and emotional pain of seven spine surgeries, finding healingthrough mindbody approaches and the loving support of others.  Her personal experience provides the passionfor her work and her speeches, which offer inspiration and hope for achievingand maintaining wellness.  InJune's award-winning book, Unexpected Grace: A Discovery of Healingthrough Surrender , she offers hope, comfort and direction to thosegoing through the difficulties we all face in life.  June's