Teenager bullied over her hunchback and limp becomes a catwalk model after surgery to straighten her spine
Zoe Blenkinsop, 19, from Tyne and Wear, had severe scoliosis (bottom right) which meant she had a lump which protruded from her back where her spine curved. Her condition left her in so much pain she wasn't able to sit or stand up for long. After a seven-hour operation during which surgeons used metal rods to straighten her spine (top right), she had to learn to walk again. She said: 'I was always so conscious about my back because there was such a huge lump sticking out from it. I never allowed anyone to take pictures of me because I didn't want them to see it. I felt like an old lady.'