When we were pregnant and expecting our son Tanner in August of 2020, things seemed to be going as they should until our twenty-week ultrasound. During this time, we were in the middle of a world wide pandemic, which meant I was unable to have anyone with me at any of the doctors appointments. It was difficult not being able to have my husband come to any appointments with me. At our 20 week ultrasound, I received the most devastating news by myself. The doctor turned to me and said, “Your baby has something called Spina Bifida.”

 

Our pregnancy journey was very emotional and overwhelming to say the least. It was terrifying walking into the unknown, not knowing what to expect for our baby boy. We spent months researching how to prepare for something we knew nothing about and all of the possibilities and outcomes we could possibly be challenged with.

 

During labor, I had an entire team of nurses and doctors in the room, preparing to take him by transport to children’s hospital to have surgery to close up the opening. It was heart breaking not being able to hold him right away, but after all the months of worrying and praying, he was finally here. He was no longer a “what if”, a statistic, or a diagnosis. He was a baby. 

 

Tanner’s first year of life was extremely challenging, filled with many surgeries and hospital stays. He had his back closure surgery at just one day old and multiple shunt surgeries as well. We knew early intervention was the key for his success but because of Covid, many programs we’re shut down during Tanner’s first year of life. But we had “Help me Grow” come to our home for services and we continued physical therapy at Nationwide Childrens until we were placed at Easterseals.

 

Fast forward to the present, Tanner is now 3 years old and we could have never imagined that he would be thriving the way he is.  Tanner is the funniest, smartest, happiest, curious, kindest, most determined little boy you’ll ever meet. One of the most important reasons Tanner has flourished so much the past year is because of Easterseals and what they stand for.

 

Early intervention has given our son and our family the confidence to be who he is and so much more. They have made such an enormous impact on our family over the past year. These teachers pour their heart and soul into these children every single week. There are no words to describe how grateful we are for the countless hours they spent with him performing therapies and pushing him to his fullest potential. They believed in him, and that’s more than any parent could ever ask for.

 

Our needs were always met with each parent/teacher meeting to discuss our goals for Tanner. They always had the highest expectations for him, and gave us ideas and tasks to help navigate each obstacle. Easterseals went above and beyond to make sure we were given the best care for Tanner. It made us so happy to see him smile so big when the teachers greeted us at the beginning of each day before school and telling me all about his day and everything they did when I would pick him up! It made us feel so secure as his parents that he was receiving the best care possible when he wasn’t with us. 

 

We’re astonished by the  progression a year at Easterseals has made for Tanner. From his social skills, to his physical abilities, and everything in between. We are forever grateful for every single person that helped Tanner in each and every way during his time at Easterseals. You all have made a huge impact on not just our family, but every family that’s ever had the opportunity to be in your program. It was an absolute privilege to know all of you, and become part of the Easterseals family! 

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You may hear Spina Bifida described as a “snowflake condition.” We use this analogy because “like snowflakes, no two are alike.” Spina Bifida has such a wide range of limitations and each child is unique and has a different experience with it. Tanner is our snowflake. He continues to amaze us each and everyday. Spina Bifida is not who he is, it does not define him. It’s a disability he has and has to overcome, and he will conquer it one day at a time.