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Anifa's Story: A girl living with spina bifida
Anifa is an 18 month old girl who lives in Nigeria. Anifa was born with spina bifida. Like most children with spina bifida, Anifa has no movement of her legs (she is paralyzed) and she has no bowel and bladder control. She works very hard just trying to crawl on her chest.
Anifa lives with her family in a village where there is no primary health center. Her mother does not own a stroller and cannot buy diapers. She has to use leaves and paper to keep her clean. She and her husband are doing everything they can for their child, but without proper care, the reality is that Anifa's future is uncertain.
Anifa had to wait until she was nine months old before she had her first back surgery to close the opening in his spine. Imagine that for nine months her spinal cord was exposed, without protection. In the United States, the first surgery for a baby born with spina bifida usually takes place within the first 24 hours of life to avoid infection, other complications, or death. But Anifa had no choice but to wait.
Anifa will likely face lifelong medical challenges associated with her spina bifida, and the financial and emotional impacts that her family will endure are overwhelming. In the United States, children born with spina bifida often live long and productive lives, even though they face many challenges. But, in many other countries, the outlook for children like Anifa is not as positive.
CDC would like to thank Anifa for sharing her personal story.
Learn how folic acid can help prevent spina bifida >>
Anifa's Story: A girl living with spina bifida
Anifa is an 18 month old girl who lives in Nigeria. Anifa was born with spina bifida. Like most children with spina bifida, Anifa has no movement of her legs (she is paralyzed) and she has no bowel and bladder control. She works very hard just trying to crawl on her chest.
Anifa lives with her family in a village where there is no primary health center. Her mother does not own a stroller and cannot buy diapers. She has to use leaves and paper to keep her clean. She and her husband are doing everything they can for their child, but without proper care, the reality is that Anifa's future is uncertain.
Anifa had to wait until she was nine months old before she had her first back surgery to close the opening in his spine. Imagine that for nine months her spinal cord was exposed, without protection. In the United States, the first surgery for a baby born with spina bifida usually takes place within the first 24 hours of life to avoid infection, other complications, or death. But Anifa had no choice but to wait.
Anifa will likely face lifelong medical challenges associated with her spina bifida, and the financial and emotional impacts that her family will endure are overwhelming. In the United States, children born with spina bifida often live long and productive lives, even though they face many challenges. But, in many other countries, the outlook for children like Anifa is not as positive.
CDC would like to thank Anifa for sharing her personal story.
Learn how folic acid can help prevent spina bifida >>