Donna Jones: Hello my name is Donna Jones and I am an adult living with Spina Bifida. Up to 90 % of those born with the most severe form of Spina Bifida also face life threatening Hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is characterized by an excess amount of spinal fluid on the brain, which can cause brain damage or even death. It is often treated with the shunt which remains in place for life. Up until the late 1950's, physicians recognized the negative impacts of Hydrocephalus on those with Spina Bifida. However, attempts in shunting were only about 50% effective. Many children born with Spina Bifida were not living into adulthood. When I was born in 1976, the doctors told my father I wouldn't walk, talk and most likely, but not live very long. He told my father it was best to commit me to an institution, so my parents could focus on raising my elder sister. My father's reaction was to ask the doctor to leave and he began to investigate medical advances in Spina Bifida. Three days later, my parents had me admitted me back to California, where doctors put a shunt in place; advances in shunt technology had increased the effectiveness of the procedure to merely 90%. While my shunt has required some revisions, as you can see today, I am walking and talking and I have a very successful career on capital health.

People with Spina Bifida have careers, get married and have children just like people who do not have Spina Bifida. I'd like to discuss with you next what are some of the challenges of living with Spina Bifida today.