You may, or maynot be shocked at this.
Something i haven't told you, but some of you know already. I'm in a wheelchair, and have been all of my life. I was born with Spinabifida. "What is that" you may be asking? Spina bifida (SB) is a neural tube defect (a disorder involving incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or their protective coverings) caused by the failure of the fetus's spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. Infants born with SB sometimes have an open lesion on their spine where significant damage to the nerves and spinal cord has occurred. Although the spinal opening can be surgically repaired shortly after birth, the nerve damage is permanent, resulting in varying degrees of paralysis of the lower limbs. Even when there is no lesion present there may be improperly formed or missing vertebrae and accompanying nerve damage. In addition to physical and mobility difficulties, most individuals have some form of learning disability. The three most common types of SB are: myelomeningocele, the severest form, in which the spinal cord and its protective covering (the meninges) protrude from an opening in the spine; meningocele in which the spinal cord develops normally but the meninges protrude from a spinal opening; and occulta, the mildest form, in which one or more vertebrae are malformed and covered by a layer of skin. SB may also cause bowel and bladder complications, and many children with SB have hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain).
There is no cure for SB because the nerve tissue cannot be replaced or repaired. Treatment for the variety of effects of SB may include surgery, medication, and physiotherapy. Many individuals with SB will need assistive devices such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs. Ongoing therapy, medical care, and/or surgical treatments may be necessary to prevent and manage complications throughout the individual's life. Surgery to close the newborn's spinal opening is generally performed within 24 hours after birth to minimize the risk of infection and to preserve existing function in the spinal cord.
The prognosis for individuals with SB depends on the number and severity of abnormalities. Prognosis is poorest for those with complete paralysis, hydrocephalus, and other congenital defects. With proper care, most children with SB live well into adulthood.
Recent studies have shown that the addition of folic acid to the diet of women of child-bearing age may significantly reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. Therefore it is recommended that all women of child-bearing age consume 0.4 mg of folic acid daily.I've been thinking of doing this post for a while but, I wanted to find ways of saying things I guess. I figured I'd just pull stuff off a site rather than trying to put it in my own words.
If anyone has any other questions, I'll answer them the best I can. You can get me more then one way. Actually, how about we do it this way. IF any of you actually have questions, send them to me privately either on one of the boards OF, OU, Soundboard, or SOL or, if you have my e-mail address, e-mail me and I'll do a Q&A type post. I won't use names unless you want me to.
So, yes I got "looks" when I was younger but, as I got older, I learned to ignore it pretty much because, I learned that some people just aren't smart and that's all they can do. Now, sometimes I just give them the same dumb look they give me. :-) I have problems when I hear or see people using the words cripple, retarded, midgit, mentally retarded (should really be mentally challenged.) Probably a host of others but, that's all that come to my mind right now.
posted by ES84 @ 1:46 PM |
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