4K SryI

Association
of 0ntario

Research Awareness Care Advocacv

Vol. 9, Issue2,luly 2070

SPEGIAIISSUE2010
spiritwheel
walkRunLocat
stories
To celebrate Spina Bifida & HydrocephalusAwarenessMonth and support the Association,families,teams and
individualstook to the streets in communitiesacross Ontariofor the 3rd Annual Spirit Wheel Walk Run. There
were eighteenseparateevents around Ontario.

Thank you to those who organizedan event and to everyonewho raised pledges,walked, wheeled or ran! This
issue of Current Bulletin is devoted to you and featuresjust a few of the many stories of dedication,enthusiasm
and generositythat made this year's event such a success.

A walkwithdetermination
Bt1KntieRichard,TlrcOshnzunExprcss

WhenAmandaRidding,a nursefrom Oshawa,foundout22 weeksinto her

pregnancythat her unbornchildhadthe mostsevereform of spinabifida,
she knewlittleaboutit.
Turning to the Internet for more information, Ridding savs Thankftrlly at birtl"r,the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
what she four"rdonline was scarv at first. Associationof Ontario (SB&H) steppedin to help and Iend
support to a family that neededit most.
"Thev give vou thesehorrible, horrible things about it orr
the Internet." she savs. "When u.e got the diagnosis and rthen we \\rerein the
hospital at first, the Associationwas very helpful in
Her son Nickolas was providing trs r,r,'ithinformation on stuff we were lvorried
born on lucky Fridav, about," she says.
No".ember13,2009.
He had his first major "We made it through the pregnancynot krrowing hort'
slrrgery when he rt as the spina bificlaatfectedNickolas but given a range of
just 24-hours-old.The symptoms.SB&H provided us with valuable and helpful
surgery fixed and information about spina bifida and hydrocephalusduring
covereda lesionon his our pregnancv as well as in the first weeks at the hospital."
spine,but damageto
the nerves couldn't be Now Nickolas is sevenmonths olcl and Riclding wants to
repaired. give back io the Association that has helped her and her
family get to this point.
"He then received a
shunt at three-weeks-old "This [r.r'as]the perfect opportunitv to help," the protrd
due to hydrocephalus, mother explains.
something r,r.eexpected
and tried to be prepared On June 19,I{idding, farnily and friends, along with
for," saysRidding. Nickolas,hosteda'Spirit Wheel Walk Run'to raisernoney
for the Association.Btrt the n,alk lvas not onlv about raising
"Nickolas bouncedback from both surgeriesw,ith amazing money, it was about putting a face to spina bifida, which
c-letermination.He is a very happy baby who takesthings in is a birth defect that sets off a chain of otl"rerproblems that
stride and flasheshis dazzling smile at everyonehe sees." make up the entire package,says llidding.