Jenna

Jenna was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele. Jenna's parents found this out through an ultrasound taken when her mother was about 3 or 4 months pregnant. In order to close up her spine and repair the exposed nerves, Jenna had surgery when she was 2 days old in Tampa, Florida.

As she has gotten older, it seems some of the nerves have allowed her to have movement in her legs. The movement allows her to bend at the knee, but she is unable to stand. Jenna has no feeling from below the knee, and has no movement in her feet at all. However, Jenna has control of her bladder and bowels. Jenna is now 3 years old and has had many appointments and other surgeries. Her other surgeries, one of which was insertion of a VP shunt. Jenna has since moved to Kentucky. Jenna was put into their preschool program. That was the best decision her parents could have made. She can't communicate other than American Sign Language. Jenna is now being tested for Autism. Despite having Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and other disabilities, Jenna is a typical 3 year old little girl. Jenna loves nursery rhymes, and seems to have connected herself to music. Jenna's family's advice to parents of special needs would be this: It takes a lot of patience. Find every program that that is available for the child, as each child is different. The main thing we advise is to love your child and show affection to him/her. Surround them with family and friends. Don't under estimate them. Our little Jenna knows more than you think she does. For this, we are truly blessed. She is our God sent angel as every child is.