"We were in a bad wreck, and she had a T12 fracture", after a really fast recovery she had to use a walker and a kind of body cast. She soon left the walker behind but was embarrassed of everybody looking at her back brace.

This was until her friend, Sarah, said this can change from "ugly but necessary" into "necessary and awesome".

She, and a group of friends met and decided to decorate the brace... into steampunk accessory.

Maddie still needs to wear it, but now she doesn't feel like hiding from people.

Almost ready...

...and done.

Maddie looks now cool and people don't ask "Wow, what happened?" but "WOW! How did you get such a cool thing".

Maddie is still recovering but now her self-esteem has recovered making it easier for her. Wouldn't you wish you had friends like that?