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Spotlight V A L E T S r iN O "Connected to your Community" LOUIS VUITTON Oakville high school student Emm Arruda underwent back surgery for scoliosis and is now taking on the world, literally, as a high-fashion model who is walking the runways of the major fashion capitals in the world. She is equally at home with her mom and dad, Liz and Paul Arruda, at home in Oakville where she is a `typical' high school student. | submitted photos No turning back for model poised for high-fashion career by Hailey Montgomery S p e cia l to the Beaver O nly two years after undergoing spinal fusion surgery, it seems as if all eyes are on 16-year-old Emm Arruda. Arruda underwent the intensive procedure to correct an S-shaped curve in her spine caused by scoliosis. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt be fore puberty While it can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy the cause of most cases of scoliosis is unknown. Six months after having the surgery, the St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School student signed with Toronto agent Chantale Nadeau. Arruda is now represented in all four fashion capitals of the world: New York, London, Paris, and Milan. W hat followed was a whirlwind of success Ar ruda and her family could not have predicted. She has walked runways in Toronto, New York, and Paris' fashion weeks for iconic design ers and fashion houses like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. Arruda made her international debut at New York Fashion, walking exclusively for Proenza Schouler. She felt relaxed in the chaos of back stage until moments before it was time to walk the runway. "Right when I did step out, I got a little ner vous," she said. "Then I felt adrenaline, and the whole rest of the way I was just so excited. You feel so good walking down the whole way." Before surgery, the curvature of Arruda' s back was a near constant source of discomfort and pain. "Not only was my spine an S-shape, but my ribs were turned, and my hips and shoulders were off," she said. "Your organs are turned around. I would always feel that inside of me." Recovery was extremely painful, and the rods and screws used to re-align her back can still put her at risk for paralysis should they be displaced. After posting a photo on Instagram of her back before and after surgery, she received hundreds of messages of support -- some from people who had lived with scoliosis or a similar condition. (INSTAGRAM CAPTION: 18 months ago today i had scoliosis & had to undergo a long spinalfusion surgery which left m e with a scar down my spine, I would have never thought that I could w alk on a runway or be where i am today, nothings impos sible.) "I was so happy to hear it actually made a dif ference to someone," she said. "They were say ing `Thank you for sharing your story.' It inspires them to say `I can do the same.' Not just in the fashion world, but anything." Success in a competitive industry, where ap pearances are paramount, helped Arruda realize her scar would not hold her back. "Before I was in fashion, I thought that you had to be the dehnition of perfect," she said. "That's not what it is. People like people who are unique. It wasn't exactly what I thought it was, but thats a good thing." Arruda' s mom, Liz, says her daughter' s success can make life as a high school student complex. "She tries to remain low-key at school, but with today's social media, everyone knows ev erything," Liz said. "But she keeps her head up knowing her end goal is near." Arruda says the love and support of her par ents, Liz and Paul, and sister, Melissa, have been crucial. Her parents even accompanied her on her hrst modelling jobs in New York and Paris. For now, Arruda is focusing on her goals: hnishing high school, and modelling full-time. Organization, hard work, and modern tech nology keep her on track at school as she travels frequently for work. With an impressive resume, and an exciting career ahead, Arruda stays grounded. "I dehnitely still feel normal," she said. "When I go back to school, I feel like I'm a regular teen ager from Oakville, like everyone else." Oakvflle Bearer Volume 54 | Number 96 OPC O n ta rio Press C o u n c il Defending principles to inspire public trust 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. 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