Yuliya Shchelovanova

It all started in the 5th grade. She had stage 4 S-curve scoliosis, which was progressing quickly. She did exercises, had massages and tried physiotherapy, but nothing made any difference. Her back was becoming more and more hunched, and the pain was becoming an ever-greater hindrance to her life.

At first it only impacted her body, but eventually it affected her soul too. By high school, her classmates were becoming prettier and started having relationships. Yuliya, however, avoided everyone, and disguised her condition with oversized clothes that were still some years away from becoming fashionable. Comments made by peers, teachers and even tactless employees at clothing stores hurt her deeply.

“The skeletal deformities caused my internal organs to shift their positions. The doctors said that if things carried on like that, I wouldn’t make it to 40,” Yuliya said. “But even then, I refused to have the operation for a long time. I was very scared of the long period of rehabilitation that would follow.”

The operation caused Yuliya to grow by 6 centimeters. Her spine was now supported by a metal frame, which prevented it from hunching. The recovery process was long. Unable to sit, Yuliya literally had to prepare for her university entrance exams on her knees.

“My life was split down the middle, into before and after. I’m so happy I decided to go through with it, and now I can live a full life. If anyone is going through the same thing, I’d be happy to share my experiences, tell them what I know and recommend doctors.”

Yuliya had her first operation in high school, but her growing body meant that the frame eventually needed to be replaced. In the early 2010s, doctors suggested fitting a new one. She then had to endure all the hardships of postoperative rehabilitation once again.

Because of the titanium frame, her back is now rigidly straight. Despite this, she’s been able to do ballroom dancing for the last four years. She enjoys tango and waltz – dancing styles where a decidedly straight posture is actually a requirement. For a long time, she didn’t miss a single company event at Kaspersky, and would always enjoy performing in front of her colleagues at the legendary employee show. Once, she even tried her hand as a real aerial gymnast, flying above the stage on ropes. For this number, she had to enroll at a circus academy.

Yuliya met her husband at a company event where was a regular participant in the employee show. She dances and he sings. Now, they’re raising a delightful daughter together.