After three years of trying to have a baby, my husband and I had our prayers answered in 2008 when we found out I was pregnant. We were so excited but had no idea what a journey our baby would take us on. At a routine ultrasound, we found out our son had Spina Bifida. We were devastated, and the next few weeks were a blur of tears, as we met with specialists to learn more about our baby’s condition. On June 5, 2009, Dakota Jackson entered the world with an opening high on his back and severe hydrocephalus. Within days, he had surgeries to close his back and place a shunt in his brain. He came home from the hospital on Father’s Day.

 

Dakota is now a 2.5-year-old amazing little boy! He is paralyzed from his waist down, but he doesn't let it slow him down! He army crawls all over the house. He will soon get his first wheelchair, and we are so excited about the mobility it will allow him! Other than not walking, he is just like any 2 year old who has temper tampers, loves riding the four-wheeler with Daddy, and plays with cars and trucks. We are so proud of him.

 

We attended last year’s SBAK Walk-N-Roll for Spina Bifida and have felt like part of the SBAK family ever since! Our whole family loves to go to SBAK’s playgroups, where the kids play while the parents talk about issues our children face. That really helps us to not feel alone in this Spina Bifida world. This year SBAK hosted a conference, where we attended a class about making sure Dakota is correctly fitted for his wheelchair. Now we are looking forward to attending SBAK’s holiday party with the people we consider our extended family.

 

SBAK is an amazing organization we are proud to be a part of, and we dearly love the caring and helpful staff. We are thankful to have such an awesome resource in Kentucky that helps us make Dakota’s life even better!

 

Will you make a gift to SBAK this holiday season to help kids and adults like Dakota?

 

Happy Holidays,

Keishia Vincent