Chandra Scott, widely recognised as @Lame.cobain, is a remarkable fashion and beauty influencer whose story of resilience and self-acceptance resonates with her devoted followers. Chandra’s journey began with a severe scoliosis diagnosis, leading to a series of spinal fusion surgeries from ages 7 to 12. Her recovery journey inspired her love for fashion and beauty, and her Instagram account became a platform for sharing her evolving style and makeup tips. She has since gone on to work with brands including Miu Miu, Rabanne, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Beyond her content, Chandra’s openness about her medical journey encourages self-acceptance and self-expression, making her a powerful advocate for those living with scoliosis and similar conditions.

Written by Chandra

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I come from a Caribbean family, so we make the most of our relatives’ skills – from good cook to gardener. My aunty has the hairdressing skill. I wouldn’t say it’s a hobby of hers, but she’s always been the one pushed to do my hair as a child. On my many visits to her house to get my braids done, there’s one time that really stood out.

I was 7 years old, sat on her living room floor in Tottenham – braids nearly done – when she stopped for a second… longer than her usual breaks for changing combs or getting hair oils. I heard, “Sit up straight”. In my head, I already was. I must have already developed the slight hunch in my back for her to notice. In a worrying – but not trying to scare a child – kind of way, my aunt said I’d need to get it checked out. “But I’ve seen back humps on others,” I thought to myself… “mostly the elderly, but isn’t that normal?” My aunt brought it up to my grandma (my parental guardian), but not much came of it for a year.

I remember my first hospital appointment being so hectic – I was picked up after school in the middle of the rush. We unfortunately arrived at the wrong hospital, and my grandma was asking nurses – rushing past in masks – if we were in the right place. Bless her, she was so disappointed. I couldn’t really help at that age – London was still this massive maze to me. CAT scans were scary – almost like being in the Blackwall Tunnel for ages. I’m sure I had over six X-rays in the space of two years.

Once we found out I had scoliosis, I honestly didn’t think too much about it. I knew my birth mum had it, although reports say it’s not something passed down genetically. The nervousness trickled in when I had to get the cast for the back brace. I had two braces in the first year and a half, because I was a growing 8-year-old. After the second brace change, it was pure tumbleweed from the hospital. A year went by. Then two. Then three. Then four. My brace felt restrictive at this point, but I just thought that was it doing its job – surely aligning my spine properly. But my hump was getting worse. I was being told to stand up straight more than ever. I noticed my lopsided posture, and at 12 years old, in the height of puberty, I dwelled on it.

I’ve always had a love for fashion, but at that age, all I could wear were baggy tops and my school uniform over the brace. Phone call after phone call, we finally got a hospital appointment booked. More X-rays. More tests. Sat in a room with the doctor (who ended up being my lovely surgeon), a nurse, and my grandma, I sensed hesitation. The curve in my spine had gone from 16 degrees to a whopping 76. I had to have surgery ASAP.

My heart dropped – I thought wearing my brace all the time and missing out on things with friends in case I hurt my back was all worth it. Turns out the brace had been doing more harm than good, because it hadn’t been re-moulded in four years. Why? The hospital had lost my medical records.

It all led to surgery I’d need urgently. We were told in January, and I was due to have the operation in May. A month later, we got a phone call: they could bring it forward to March.

March 16th 2013 – I went under for the 10-hour surgery. I’m so thankful for the doctors and nurses that were there for me after such a complicated operation. The first thing I asked for after waking up was macaroni and cheese. That week in hospital was tough. I wasn’t used to being away from my family. They visited every day, but it still felt different knowing they’d leave each night. My uncle Ivan worked in Essex and would come see me until late, then go straight back to work the next morning. He’s a star. The worst pain? Removing the stitches..

Learning to walk again takes a lot out of you – your body feels like it should cooperate, but it just feels so heavy. I felt dragged down for the first few days after the op. I never had pain before spinal fusion. After surgery, I’d get shooting pains in my back nearly every week for the first year.

Now I’m 24. The pain isn’t the worst – it just depends on the day. Some days, standing up feels like climbing Mount Everest. But I’ve gotten used to it over the years. It’s a true learning curve, going through a big medical process and treatment at a young age. I wouldn’t be who I am today without scoliosis – and without the amazing doctors who perform spinal fusion surgery. It really disappoints me knowing that people abroad, in countries without free healthcare, are having to pay thousands just to get treatment for it.