Source: World Health Organisation
At 15, Yeliza Natali began to notice a deformation in her spine, but no one around her paid much attention since she was too thin, and some bones protruded more than others. Growing up in rural Colombia, her constant back pain was attributed to hard work in the fields. Over the years, the discomfort became a barrier to her daily life, even forcing to change her job as a waitress to a lower-paying one, that was less physical.
At the age of 24, her reality changed when she was diagnosed with scoliosis. The medical recommendation was blunt: surgery. The possibility of undergoing surgery on her spine generated fear and uncertainty. However, before reaching that point, she was recommended to do rehabilitation with a physiotherapist to strengthen the muscles surrounding her spine. Thus began a long process of transformation.
The key to her recovery was her rehabilitation through a physical therapist, Marcela Bustamante, who accompanied her through every stage of the treatment, both physically and psychologically. In the beginning, the sessions were uncomfortable and challenging, but Yeliza stuck to the idea of avoiding surgery. As time passed, the results were evident: her posture improved, her pain decreased, and her mobility increased significantly. When she finally returned to the neurosurgeon’s office, the news was startling: her recovery had been so effective that surgery was no longer necessary.
But her road to a pain-free life did not end there. In total, her rehabilitation program spanned three years.
Access to therapy was not easy. The lack of a specialized center in her town forced her to travel six hours to Medellín, bearing the cost of transportation, lodging and per diems. Although the so-called Colombian Health Promoting Entities (EPS) covered the physiotherapy sessions, the long waits for appointments with specialists and the lack of resources in her community complicated her recovery.
Despite all the challenges faced, Yeliza was able to transform her life. Today, free of pain, she has her own catering business and enjoys activities that once seemed unthinkable. Her story is a testament to the power of rehabilitation.
“If I hadn’t undergone rehabilitation, I wouldn’t even be able to walk today without help,” she says. Her call to the authorities is clear: investing in rehabilitation is urgent. “Health is the most valuable thing we have.”
Yeliza’s story highlights Colombia’s lack of access to rehabilitation services, especially in rural areas. As long as rehabilitation services are not available in small towns, many people will continue to face economic and logistical barriers to receiving the treatment that can change their lives.