I was Born with Spina Bifida

What is Spina Bifida? Spina Bifida is a Latin term meaning ‘open spine’. Medically it refers to a birth defect where the spine does not form completely . The Spina Bifida defect may leave several vertebrae deformed in such a way as to expose the spinal cord. The exposure of spinal cord usually results in some damage to it at the point of exposure. Damage at some point along the spinal cord results in limited brain signals to and from muscles and body organs below where the damage has occurred. Limited communication to and from the brain to muscles and body organs frequently results in reduced development of normal body function. Although spina bifida is originally a skeletal defect, there are a significant number of directly related conditions which precipitate from the defect in the spine. People who are born with spina bifida frequently have one or more related defects.

More info is available from the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada

The Spina Bifida I was born with is called meningomyelocele which is the most severest form. Because the nerves are protruding outside the protective bone tube their is damage to nerves. So what damage did I have from my spina bifida, well when I was born my parents were told I would never walk and as is I did not walk until I was 4 years old but I am walking. Also I have little to no feeling or control of my left leg and foot.(It is strange a Doctor can stick a pin in my foot and I will not feel anything but I still feel it when I stub my toe). I went through numerous surgeries from the initial surgery at 6 hours of age to major spinal surgery in 1980 to release my spinal cord so that I could continue to develop.

So why am I writing about this now? Good Question I think about it quite often but I do not dwell on it and I am certainly glad that I am ok and able to live life to the fullest (At least I try to live it the best I can). I am appreciative of the hard work and dedication my Mom and Dad showed in ensuring I had all the treatments I needed and even so much as my Mom crawling around behind me and making sure I completed all my exercises as ordered by the doctor.

Please do not get me wrong I am not looking for sympathy that is the last thing I want or need. I just felt lately as I have had a lot of time to think that I wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped and supported me especially my Family and writing about this maybe gives people some more insights into me.