"Duped" - Scammed by an Online Clothing Site that Advertises on FB!

 

 

While scrolling through Facebook you happen to pass an ad for the most beautiful dress you've ever seen; you look below and notice the rock bottom price.  Now that you know it's in your price range you begin picturing yourself in it.  It doesn't take long before you're ready to order.  One rationalizes, DressLily has over 5 million "likes" on FB, they must be legit.  The item reviews on the site seem to check out and the claims of amazing customer service is enough to put ones mind at ease --- is it too good to be true? 

 

It was for me!  I was SCAMMED!  I don't want this to happen to anyone else, so I'm telling my story.  I decided to make the BEST of a bad situation by turning this terrible transaction into a fun project by sharing my experience and hopefully rescuing others from the same fashion fate.  I was duped; therefore, I tried duplicating the pictures from the DressLily website against the items from my order to show the difference in what is being advertised and what is being received.  Before I show you these ridiculous pictures, let me quickly tell you a little about my story.

 

I have scoliosis.  I've been hiding for years behind over sized clothes because of a protruding shoulder.  I would purchase loose fitting clothes to help hide my deformity.  It affected my life in a major way.  I was very insecure about my back.  After 20 years of hiding, last December I found a new treatment option.  I was ecstatic!  I began treatment last December and it has changed my life.  My back looks so much better! 

 

 

So recently, I've been able to donate many of the over sized clothes that I didn't like and slowly begin replacing them with clothes I LOVE.  In order to do this I asked my husband to get me clothes for Christmas.  I went to the DressLily website and picked all my favorites and he ordered them.  My entire Christmas budget was used for this order. I was so excited to receive them, but when they arrived and I opened the package, all I wanted to do was cry. I know I'm blessed and there are a lot bigger problems in the world right now, but this was the first time I've ever been able to confidently order shirts from a website.  Before this day I'd never order shirts online -- I had to try them on first to make sure they hid my protruding shoulder.  So this was a special event for me ---- and then this happened!!  I was so discouraged, but I snapped out of it.  I realized I could turn this into an opportunity to help others avoid the same situation!  So, let's look at the pictures!!!!!

 

The first picture is the item I ordered; the second picture is me with the item I received.  What do you think?!!

 



This shirt actually came with misspellings.  It should say, "A girl knows her limits -
A wise girl knows she has none."  Plus, it's made out of different fabric and cut differently around
the neckline.

 

Notice the uneven cut around the neckline, the lace hanging from the sleeve, the cut of the
 dress/waistline is inconsistent, the bottom of the dress is shaped differently, and it's made of
different fabric.

 

 

This shirt doesn't seem so bad on it's own, but look a little closer.  There are two seams down the front
of my shirt that are not in the pictured shirt.  For an even closer look see the picture below.
 

  



These two seams shouldn't be there.

  

My shirt is made out of different fabric (very thin) and like all of the other items
very poor quality.

This is the worst item of all!  It looks nothing like what I ordered.  I wouldn't even wear this
for a Halloween costume!  Look at the horrid waistline!

This one doesn't seem to look that bad, right!  Obviously the fabric is different, but see the picture
below for an up close look at the poor quality around the sleeves.

The lace isn't sewn to the shirt properly.  It pulls away from the fabric underneath.
 

Wow, this shirt is all sorts of messed up; there's no extra flap sewn on the front of mine.
  It's also made out of different fabric.

The embroidery is wider, the shirt is cut differently, and I'm certain it's
made out of different fabric.  See below for more on this one.

Poor quality - not even sewn all of the way.

Made of different fabric.  Look at the sleeves- they're clearly different.
Also, there's a hole under the sleeve - see below.

 

Well, that's my crazy little story.  I hope telling it helps others avoid a hassle. 

It's What's on the Inside that Counts!

 

 

 

It's what's on the inside that counts!  We all have THOSE days --- days of weakness, pain, insecurity, and doubt.  Those DAYS do not define us!  Those moments are temporary.  Keep the hope because ONE day, ONE moment, ONE encounter can change our lives forever! 

 

*Determination

*Vigor

*Motivation

*Gumption

*Inspiration

*Strength

 

 

It's these qualities that get me through each day.  It's what gets me out of bed at 5 a.m. to do my home therapy exercises.

 



And when I get home after working 10 hours, instead of relaxing, it's what gives me the strength to do my home therapy exercises all over again.

It's what's on the inside that counts - it gives me the strength to fight each day.  Do I know what the future holds? NO........ BUT if I don't fight, I'll never know what great things can be achieved!

Yes, it's what's on the inside that counts!  It's how I've been able to attain the results that I have so far.  Through treatment my pain is gone, my thoracic curve has gone from 42.5 degrees to 38, the appearance of my back has improved, as well as my quality of life! 

For years I had many bad days - but ONE day, One moment, One encounter changed my life and gave me the hope to get where I'm at now and it's giving me the determination to press on.....

Whatever you're going through --- don't give up!  Sometimes we have to just start walking in order to find our destination, our destiny.  If we don't take the first step we'll never go anywhere.

Enjoy this day to the fullest!

 

www.facebook.com/thecrookedlife

 

"Thankful" - My Break-Up with Pain

 I AM THANKFUL - I AM CHANGED – I AM INSPIRED –

I AM A SCOLIOSIS WARRIOR!

 

 

I AM one of many with an alphabetic character embedded into their spine (C or S --- mine is a C), one who rolls out of bed before the crack of dawn each morning to put on her armor (aka - torso trainer) and fight, and one who has felt and dealt with the physical and emotional pain of this condition for years and is standing up to say, “I'm Not Gonna Take It Anymore!” 

 

(Picture: My torso trainer, SLA, and head weights - I do this twice a day, 20 minutes each time)

Make no mistake, I haven’t always had this gumption.  In fact for years I was a hopeless and (at times) emotional wreck.  I had a long standing relationship with Pain that I just couldn't end until this year.  Now it's FINALLY over - kicked to the curb, dead and buried…  This Thanksgiving I have even MORE to be grateful for; my family, friends, a delicious dinner, a roof over my head, and a great job are all at the top of the list, but THIS YEAR I’m also thankful for something else: MY recent break-up --- with Pain!

 

(Picture: I had pain surrounding my entire right shoulder blade and frequent soreness in my shoulders.)

 

I was diagnosed at age 12, but didn't meet Mr. Pain until my early 20’s. Hanging out with him was always a negative experience.  I often tried to break things off, but he wouldn't go away! I have plenty of journal entries dedicated to this horrible, rotten, "no good for me" piece of scum!  He often hurt me, caused me to feel terrible about myself, constantly reminded me of the hump protruding from my back, and dictated what I could and could not do! I HATED him, but I just couldn’t rid myself of him.  I wanted to, but I needed HELP to do it.

    (Picture: One of my journal entries)

After years of allowing Pain to control me, limit me, and hurt me –I found a doctor to help me end the abuse.  It took several months of treatment and therapy (home exercises), but I was able to end this awful relationship and move on.  I don’t ever want Pain back in my life again! 

(Picture: Going in for my scoliosis treatment - Dr. Nick Weddle) 

*Thankful.  Yes, THANKFUL I AM. *

 

 

***Stay tuned - I'm making a new video about my treatment soon.  

Facebook/The Crooked Life

 
If you’re looking to end a relationship with Pain - here are a few tips that might help:

 

(Here is a video of my doctor talking about scoliosis and the treatment program I'm doing that eliminated my pain.)

 

Here is a great resource provided by ScoliSMART on How to Keep Your Back Healthy. 

 

Keep Your Back Healthy Infographic created by Treating Scoliosis (ScoliSMART)

Scoliosis and Back Health Resources

Here are a few great resources about scoliosis and back health - check them out!



Scoliosis by the Numbers Infographic created by Treating Scoliosis (ScoliSMART)

Keep Your Back Healthy Infographic created by Treating Scoliosis (ScoliSMART)

My Scoliosis Bucket List

For YEARS I drowned myself in massively over-sized tops to hide a 42.5 degree curve in my spine; a curve that caused my right shoulder blade to protrude outward and make me feel deformed.  I didn’t divulge the fact that I was crooked; instead I did EVERYTHING in my power to hide it.  It was devastating to me for anyone to notice!  Because of it I allowed myself to miss out on a lot of FUN STUFF – I rarely ever just let my hair down and fully embraced life!  I’ve done a lot of traveling and have had some fantastic experiences, but I was always on guard – always at work to make sure I adequately concealed my back.  This meant giving up certain activities and composing a list of excuses for family and friends when I was invited to an event for which I thought my back would be EXPOSED!  Today I’m thrilled to share - those thoughts, those years, those excuses and limitations are a thing of the past!!! 

One year ago “TODAY” my life CHANGED!  Today is the one year anniversary of my official appointment at Restoration Chiropractic in which I learned about a new scoliosis treatment program for kids and adults - no bracing or surgery!  I scheduled the appointment on my birthday; seemed fitting – it truly has been such a wonderful gift!!  I started treatment in mid-December and  since that time I've never been the same!

So today I’m reflecting on the past year, some AMAZING VICTORIES, and a boat load of goals I’ve been able to check off of my SCOLIOSIS BUCKET LIST! 

And sharing a few more things on my list that I hope to accomplish this year!

 

#1 – The BIG Reveal – March 2015 

This was a BIG ONE!  I was so scared! I remember hesitating to tap on the FaceBook “post” button when sharing with my family & friends that I had scoliosis, but I did it!!  They’ve been so supportive!  It was a real surprise to many of them because I worked extremely hard to hide it.  If it wasn't for Dr. Nick's work with scoliosis patients I would still be hiding today ---- I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT!!

 

#2 – Lose the Pain – March 2015    

Standing in one place, shopping, jogging, cleaning, and sitting are all ways in which I experienced pain.  The majority of the pain surrounded my entire right shoulder blade; the one in which my spine curves toward.  Sometimes it was mild and other times severe, but one thing is for sure --- it affected my life in a huge way.  I recently went back and read some entries from my journal throughout the years and realized  just how long it has been affecting me.  Through treatment I am NO LONGER experiencing pain!!!  Huge VICTORY!
 

#3 – Spread the Word – May 12, 2015

When someone has hope restored into their life – "WATCH OUT" ­– because the natural thing to do is shout it from the mountain tops!  To share this hope I created a page to document my journey. 

 

 #4 – Wear an Open Back Dress - June 20, 2015

As a result of treatment my confidence bloomed and I became BRAVE enough to wear an open back dress in public for the first time; something I would have been absolutely mortified to do prior to this day.  I was so nervous, excited, and a little scared --- but I did it!  It was a freeing experience and has paved the way for a new perspective.

#5 – Burn my Sports Bras – July 4, 2015

July 4^th, 2015 was a day to celebrate freedom in more ways than one!  For over 20 years I’d been wearing sports bras in an attempt to conceal my protruding shoulder blade and if I didn’t wear one my shoulder would be in horrible pain.  Through treatment the pain is gone, my back is looking better, and I stopped hiding ------ so it was time to BURN the Sports BRAS to celebrate my new found freedom.  As we lit up our fireworks - we lit them up too! My family had fun with that one – LOL!
 

#6 – Stop Hiding – July 2015

I faced my fear by exposing my back to make a statement -----  This video explains how I was able to come out of hiding, have confidence with my curve, and do the thing that's always TERRIFIED me the most - exposing my back to the world! I found a body artist and photographers to help me make a statement -- I WILL HIDE NO MORE!
 

 
#7- Wear a Swim Suit – August 15, 2015

I hadn’t worn a swim suit in over 20 years.  In fact I normally avoided swimming/beach altogether.  When I did go I’d wear a loose sports top over a sports bra – feeling very self-conscience the entire time.  Several years ago I went on a trip to Hawaii; I spent months trying to find a swim suit that I’d feel comfortable wearing --- OH THE FRUSTRATION!  I finally found one that I thought I’d be brave enough to wear, but when we got to Hawaii I CHICKENED OUT!  2 years later that swim suit still had the price tags attached until August of 2015 --- we grabbed my nephew and headed to the local beach!  I wore that swim suit and experienced another awesome victory!!

 

 #8 – Improvement (Last X-rays August 30, 2015)

So far my curve has been reduced from 42.5 degrees to 38 degrees. I've also had a reduction in my rib hump; I’m able to wear clothes that I never would have worn before -- like the white and black dress below which was a gift that hung in my closet until I finally acquired the confidence to wear it!

 

#9 – Get Rid of Oversized “Safe” Clothes – September 2015

It was difficult to find clothes that would conceal my back (with so many form fitting styles on the market).  Anytime I found a top that covered up my condition I bought it – usually whether I liked it or not!! In fact I had many of the same shirts in different colors -depressing!!!  Clothes are an everyday thing (unless you live in a nudist colony) so I struggled daily!!  Sometimes tops would fit right at first, but later would shrink.  It was an emotional rollercoaster.  I was excited on days when I found something that looked good and fit the way I wanted it, but other days it seemed like I couldn’t find anything to fit right and would have an emotional breakdown.  I feel so blessed that those days are gone.  Shopping has been so much easier now.  I’m in a new realm of freedom, happiness, and self-confidence.  I knew it was time to go through my closet and get rid of the OVER-SIZED clothes – (my safe clothes) and start replacing them with clothes I love.  I boxed them up and that is that!!!  GOODBYE – I will not miss them!!!!

Some remaining items on my bucket list: 

*Ballroom Dancing: I've always wanted to take lessons, but wouldn't because of the form fitting dresses and  
being afraid that some of the dance moves would expose my back. 

*Back Massage: NEVER wanted anyone to see my back, so would never get one!

*Go on a Beach Vacation - Not Think About My Back Once!: Oh to experience freedom in one 

of my favorite places - A BEACH!

*Continue Improvement: I'm going to keep striving to achieve the best results possible - I'm not giving up!  

*Secret Goal: If I’m able to achieve it – I’ll reveal it!

The Crooked Life - My Scoliosis Journey

I recently revisited some of the significant places and moments along my journey to share a story of this crooked life - diagnosis to treatment. Take a short walk with me back in time as I relive some emotional and exciting times that have defined my journey and changed my life.  Sharing my journey at www.facebook.com/thecrookedlife

"The Twisted Transformation" - How a New Approach to Scoliosis Treatment is Changing My Life!

 

Vulnerability – a quality that was misplaced in my dusty bag of emotional clutter, but a deep internal exploration has helped me reveal its location and now I’m armed and ready to use it to share my story – a story literally full of TWISTS and TURNs about my crooked life, my scoliosis journey.

I didn’t emerge from the womb crooked.  I actually lived 11 years of my life rather straight; at least I made it past a few annual scoliosis screenings during gym class.  But then my school bus got in a small traffic accident and my mother had to haul me to the doctor for an exam.  Little did I know that days later I’d be trapped inside a plaster cast – not because I was injured during the accident, but to get fitted for a brace.  I was diagnosed with scoliosis! 

I didn’t think much about it at first, I just went with the flow -------- But then that horrid bulky piece of hard plastic arrived! I wore it for as long as I could - to school, bed, and shopping.  The only place I didn’t have to wear it was the shower!  23 hours a day was a huge commitment that this 12 year old was not willing to make.  It was certainly not trendy, but on top of that the hard plastic rubbed against my hips and it hurt ---- BAD!  So I began to formulate a plan to make it disappear.  I stuffed it under my bed, in the dark corner of my closet, and eventually (down the road) into the trash bin; but not without some last attempts from my parents to convince me to wear it.  They were doing their parental duty, but deep down I knew they understood my point of view.

Choosing not to wear the brace only left me with one option – Watch and Wait.  If the curve didn’t increase to a particular degree then no action would be taken, otherwise surgery would be scheduled.  I don’t remember the degree of my curve at that time, nor do I remember talking about it; all I knew was I felt fine at that moment.  I was 12 years old; I wasn’t thinking about how this condition could affect me later in life until I started Junior High and the school nurse attempted to scare me into wearing the brace.  She informed me that I’d be hunched over someday if I didn’t wear it.  While that concerned me, I wasn’t experiencing any problems at the time, so the future “me” was not on my mind.  For the next few years I was oblivious to the changes taking place inside of me.  Until that DREADFUL day that I remember like yesterday!  The day that changed the way I lived for the next 20 years!

Someone I knew very well, but didn’t see often was sitting behind me at a gathering.  She began balling her eyes out – tears were flowing heavily down her cheeks.  As she sobbed, she leaned forward and asked me the dreaded question, “What is wrong with your back?” I wanted to shrink down and disappear!  I could feel every shade of embarrassment displayed on my face, but all I could do was sit there while she continued crying.  Until that moment I had never looked at my back in the mirror.  I wasn’t aware of the horrible gift that time had delivered, but that day I went home and looked.   I knew I had scoliosis, but this was the first time I became “aware” of it – and every day from that day on - I was aware of it! 

That day the transformation began.  I never wanted anyone to notice AGAIN!  The focus of my wardrobe switched from fashionable to camouflaging my back.  It was nice if I could find a top that did both, but that was a hard feat!  Instead of wearing shirts in my size I typically had to buy larger tops that wouldn’t cling to my back and reveal my protruding shoulder.  Every night I tried on clothes to find an outfit for the next day.  It involved looking at my profile in every direction to make sure my scoliosis was unnoticeable.  I’d have nights where I couldn’t find an outfit to fit right; those were emotionally exhausting – bad nights!  When that happened I’d curl up on the bed while the waterfall of tears began.  As if I wasn’t torturing myself enough already I’d then hop online to search for treatment options for scoliosis then I’d cry some more after logging off empty handed.  Bracing was for growing youth, but only an attempt to stop the progression of the curve, not correct it.  Surgery was generally for curves greater than 45-50 degrees.  My curve was 42.5 degrees.  What was I supposed to do – I felt helpless!  I did the only thing I knew to do and that was continue to pray.

 

I let this condition limit me in so many ways - limitations stemmed from fear.  I feared being asked to be a bride’s maid at weddings because I didn’t get to pick the dress; normally the dresses were strapless or fitted.  I dreaded that black cape at the hair salon because it clearly displayed my uneven shoulders.   I worried about my shirts shrinking so NEVER put them in the dryer.  At work I would stare in the reflection of the microwave to make sure those behind me weren’t staring at my back.  Summer clothes were a nightmare, and swimsuits – NO WAY! I remember one day getting so fed up with clothes not fitting properly that I grabbed every article of clothing out of the closet that made me feel horrible and donated it all.  In addition, the pain in my right shoulder blade didn’t help matters, it served as a reminder of the deformity in my back and often limited my activities. I admit that I let this affect me too much. I subjected myself to an insane amount of emotional torture and on top of it I couldn’t find a doctor to help fix me!  I was an emotional hopeless wreck!

Through the years I kept searching for help (for around 20 years actually) and then one remarkable day redemption arrived!  I was having one of those TERRIBLE - ROTTEN - NO GOOD kind of days and decided to give the search another go, but this day was different – my search actually yielded a result!  Located just 20 minutes from me was Restoration Chiropractic.  Dr. Nick Weddle (a CLEAR certified doctor) started a non-invasive treatment for scoliosis in Belton, Missouri!  Generally speaking I’m not an emotional person, but I still tear up thinking back to this moment when hope was delivered into my life.  A day in which a long awaited answer to prayer arrived. I scheduled my first appointment on my birthday – this was the highlight of my day!  As the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air would put it – “this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down.” I started treatment in December and my life has indeed been flipped-turned upside down in many ways!

 

I went from hiding my condition to blogging about it.  I desired to share the hope that I’d experienced with others, so decided to make a statement - I found a body artist and did the thing that’s always TERRIFIED me the most – exposing my back!  I had a crooked tree painted on my back and had it photographed to share.  My statement – I will hide no more!  I will be confident with my curve while I strive for correction.  I will raise my voice and share my story in hopes that others receive healing from the emotional pain and scars of scoliosis.

 

Now instead of hiding behind my clothes, I’m finding more clothes that I’m comfortable wearing as the appearance of my back has greatly improved because of my treatment.  I’ve recently worn an open back dress and swim suit which I haven’t done in over 20 years! The degree of my curve has decreased from 42.5° to 38° so far, which is amazing – this is without any bracing or surgery!  The pain that resided in my right shoulder blade is GONE and now I’m able to enjoy activities that I wasn’t able to before.

 

Life has twisted me in many ways – it only began with my diagnoses; eventually I was so twisted it was evident not only in my back, but in my soul, my emotions, and my countenance.  In the last 8 months I’ve been unraveling, untwisting, and unveiling a brand new me.  How exhilarating it’s been experiencing this transformation - getting my twisted life all straightened out!

By Marce Kuhns

Sharing my scoliosis journey on facebook/thecrookedlife

I Will Hide No More - Overcoming the Emotional Scars of Scoliosis!

What's the secret to overcoming the emotional pain and scars of scoliosis?  I'm going to share with you how I was able to come out of hiding, have confidence with my curve, and do the thing that's always terrified me the most - exposing my back to the world. I found a body artist and photographers to help me make a statement - I Will Hide No More!  

                                                        Artist: Kristi Darby
                                              Photographed by: Kelly Jackson

After going to great lengths to hide my scoliosis for over 20 years - this day I stood up and decided to make a statement.  I will be confident with my curve while I strive for correction.  I will raise my voice and share my story in hopes that it will help others.

The artist Kristi Darby described the symbolism in the painting perfectly, "The tree represents her back, but also her spirit: twisted and crooked, but strong, determined, and deeply rooted.  The blossoms represent a new awakening in her body and mind.  The dove represents her spirit, but in a different way - a way of freedom as it takes flight.  This is a reflection of how far she's come with her treatment.  The dove holds a special branch which represents the chiropractor who's been by her side through the journey, and the sash around the tree is the name of her blog, where she's journaled the entire process."

Here's a video sharing how I overcame:

Written by: Marce Kuhns