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Spirit, Breakthrough Spina Bifida and
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& Hope Hydrocephalus
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Spirit Wheel Walk Run Spirit Wheel Walk Run
While there is no cure for spina bifida or V


 June 18, 2011
c We are a group of family and friends of
hydrocephalus there is hope. Ongoing
therapy, medical care and/or surgical
treatments are available to manage these
complex conditions. Today, research,
advances in medical technology and
support for people with spina bifida and
hydrocephalus enable them to live full
and productive lives.
c Nickolas Ridding who are participating
in this yearƞs Spirit Wheel Walk Run in Putting a Face to
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June. Cheering Nick on! Spina Bifida
c Nickƞs Cheering Squadis participating
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for our second year, in the 4thannual
family friendly event with the SB&H.
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This walk was organized by Nickolasƞ
c mother, and will walk along the
Durham lakeshore. We are walking to
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raise awareness and support for the
c SB&H. We are showing the community c
that This is what Spina Bifida Looks
Like!

Programs and services offered by Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus

SB&H: Association of Ontario
555 Richmond St., West
› Help line P.O. Box 103, Suite 1006,
› Online community forum Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3B1
Phone 416-214-1056 Raising awareness and
› Õnformation and education
Fax 416-214-1446
› Researched, quality education provincial@shbao.on.ca support in the
› Resource Centre http://www.sbhao.on.ca/
› Àrevention and awareness programs Charitable Registration
community
› CURRENT magazine and community #10799 9310 RR0001
c
based Bulletin keeps you informed of
latest developments Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Association of Ontario
And an opportunity to raise awareness SB&H
of spina bifida!

c The Facts
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is the most common
permanently disabling birth defect. Õt
occurs 1 in 1000 births. Spina bifida is a
neural tube defect that happens when the
spine of the baby fails to close. Õt occurs in
the first four weeks of pregnancyƦ before
most women even know they are
pregnant.
Babies born with spina bifida may have an
opening or lesion on their spine. Because
of this opening, the nerves in the spinal
column may be damaged and not work
properly. This results in varying degrees of
paralysis. The higher the lesion is on the
spinal column, the greater the paralysis.
Even with no visible lesion, there can be
accompanying nerve damage. 85% of
individuals with spina bifida also have
hydrocephalus.
Occulta, Meningocele,
Myelomeningocele
These are the 3 main types of spina bifida.
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Causes of Spina Bifida
The exact cause of spina bifida is not known.
Research suggests it is a combination of
heredity, nutrition and environmental factors.
Folic acid (a B vitamin) has proven to reduce
the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina
bifida, by 70%. Women of child-bearing age,
who are sexually active, should take a daily
vitamin which contains at least 0.4 mg of folic
acid, three months prior to conception and
during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus comes from the words meaning
Ɲwater in the headƞ or Ɲwater on the brainƞ.
Hydrocephalus is the excess accumulation of
CSF (cerebral spina fluid) that increases
pressure within the brain. Õf this pressure is not
released, individuals may experience serious
health problems.
c opportunities to raise awareness and put a
Hydrocephalus may be present during
pregnancy, develop at birth or may develop
later in life.
Treatment of Hydrocephalus
V
 
Nickolas was born on lucky Friday November
13, 2009.He was born with the most severe
form of spina bifida (a myelomeningocele).
Nickolas had his first major surgery when he
was 24 hours old. Surgery fixed and covered
the lesion, but damage to the nerves cannot
be repaired. Nick has also had 2 surgeries to
place a shunt for hydrocephalus.
Nick is a happy and healthy little boy. He loves
playing with his sister and making people
smile. He loves to flash his smile at everyone
he sees and make them laugh. He is cautious
and stubborn and likes to think things
through.
Nickolas has brought joy to our family. Spina
bifida has brought some challenges to our
lives, but Õ canƞt imagine what life would be
like without him.He has made our family
complete. Spina bifida has affected his
mobility, and Nickolas will have to work hard
to be able to walk ƛ but he will!
Nick is at the start of his journey, takes things
at his own pace and we are there cheering
him on! The SB&H has provided us with
valuable and helpful information about spina
bifida and hydrocephalus as well as
face to spina bifida.
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