An average of 8 babies every day are born with Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. There are over 60 million women in the U.S. who could become pregnant and each one is at risk of having a baby born with Spina Bifida.
A friend of mine with a little girl born with SB posted this on her site. I had no idea that October was SB Awareness month but yay Jet! He has his own month! :) Here is what her post said and I thought it was a good summary for anyone who wants to know more about something that is so close to us:
"Spina bifida is a major birth defect of a baby's spine. It is one of the most common, permanently disabling birth defects in the United States. Spina bifida occurs within the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. It happens when the spine and back bones do not close all the way. When this happens, the spinal cord and back bones do not form as they should. A sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby's back. Much of the time, part of the spinal cord is in this sac and it is damaged.
Most children born with spina bifida live full lives, though they often have lifelong disabilities and need many surgeries. Some of the problems that a person born with spina bifida might face include:
• Not being able to move lower parts of their body. (Some might need to use crutches, braces, or wheelchairs to get around.)
• Loss of bowel and bladder control. (Some might wear protective clothing. Others learn new ways to empty their bladders and bowels.)
• Fluid building up and putting pressure on the brain (hydrocephalus), which needs to be fixed with an operation.
• Allergy to latex (a created material found in some rubber-type products such as balloons or hospital gloves).
All children born with spina bifida don't have the same needs. Some children have problems that are much more severe than others. Even so, with the right care, most of these children will grow up to lead full and productive lives.
Learn what spina bifida is, how it can be prevented, and where to find resources for those affected."
http://www.cdc.gov/features/spinabifida/
http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2642323/k.8E10/Spina_Bifida.htmAfter reading this I was once again thankful for how wonderful our little Jet is doing. We have some hills to climb - but Jet is well- equipped. :)
2 comments:
ohhhhh, I love that everyone is doing this. I think the more people that know about SB the better. I am off to do a SB blog too!
Thanks so much!
Sure hope all is well!
Joined Team Jet today for the "SB Walk & Roll" this Saturday! I feel good about what you've put together for Team Jet so far... we may not have the championship calibre talent that the StingRays had back in '98, but it's built around a very solid nucleus - and with the additions of Kinser and Marshall, both good walkers I'm sure, we have an outside chance Saturday and finishing strong. Or, is this not actually a race?
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