Some of you may know that I recently became the father of a beautiful little girl. Some of you may also know that my daughter has a birth defect known as Myelomeningocele (Spina Bifida). Spina Bifida you may not know is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States.
What you may not also know is that there are 3 types of Spina Bifida.
From the Spina Bifida Association of America’s website:
Spina Bifida Occulta:
Often called hidden Spina Bifida, the spinal cord and the nerves are usually normal and there is no opening on the back. In this relatively harmless form of Spina Bifida, there is a small defect or gap in a few of the small bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine.
There may be no motor or sensory impairments evident at birth. Subtle, progressive neurologic deterioration often becomes evident in later childhood or adulthood.
In many instances, Spina Bifida Occulta is so mild that there is no disturbance of spinal function at all. Occulta can be diagnosed at any age.
Meningocele:
The protective coatings (meninges) come through the open part of the spine like a sac that is pushed out. Cerebrospinal fluid is in the sac and there is usually no nerve damage. Individuals may suffer minor disabilities. Additional problems can develop later in life.
Myelomeningocele:
This form of Spina Bifida occurs when the meninges (protective covering of the spinal cord) and spinal nerves come through the open part of the spine. This is the most serious type of Spina Bifida, which causes nerve damage and more severe disabilities.
I’m writing this for two reasons. The first is to educate as many people as I can about this birth defect. And the second is to ask you for your help in supporting the Spina Bifida Association of Cincinnati in their 8th annual Walk and Roll scheduled for September 27, 2008.
From the Spina Bifida Association of Cincinnati website:
September 27, 2008
Registration begins at 9:00am
rain or shine
Miami Whitewater Forest Harrison, OH
Join us in our efforts to enhance the lives of local tri-state families living with Spina Bifdia. Walk or roll through the park on a 2 or 4-mile paved path and then stay for a picnic lunch with music and games for the children. If you aren’t able to join us on September 27th, please consider supporting the walk with a tax-deductible donation, made out to SBAC and sent to SBAC Walk and Roll 2008 at 3245 Deborah Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45239.
Start forming your teams today!
I know that the vast majority of you can’t be in Harrison on September 27th and I know that life is getting tight, but please consider sending a couple of bucks to the SBAC. That said however, anyone interested in joining Mrs. Gribbit and myself (and Baby Gribbit of course) in Harrison on September 27th and form a team, contact me at gribbit at gribbitonline dot com. We’ll do some walking for a good cause.
UPDATE: For those who would prefer to make a donation to SBAC via Paypal, you can do so at their website.
Thank you for indulging me in this plea.
Gribbit
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Bravo Gribbit. I’m glad that you are fighting back and fully support you and your belived and your beutiful daughter in this effort.