This is the Buchieri family: Nancy, Joey, Mike and Nicole. This family has been affected by neural tube defects. They would like to share their story with you.

Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect.

			This is Nicole. She has a very severe case of spina bifida. Nicole is paralyzed from the chest down. She has many medical problems.

Every day, Nicole has to deal with several difficulties:

• Respiratory problems. (She needs to wear an oxygen mask and stops breathing occasionally.)
• Lack of control over her bladder and bowel. (She has to wear diapers.)
• She has to be fed through a tube.
• Difficulty learning.

		This is a picture of what a baby with Nicole's condition looks like at birth. The sac on the outside of the body may be filled with meninges, spinal fluid, spinal cord and spinal nerves.

There are three types of spina bifida. Click here to learn more about the two most common types.

			This is Joey, Nicole's brother. Joey can walk with leg braces. He has a mild case of spina bifida. He has had several surgeries that have left scars on his back. Joey has had bladder problems such as overactive (spasmic) bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Every day the Buchieri family faces:

• Time constraints (because the children need extra care).
• Economic burden (because of the special equipment and health care needed by the children).
• Emotional stress.

Families like the Buchieri's encourage all women and teenage girls to take a folic acid supplement.

Back to "What is a neural tube defect?"

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			Folic Acid Every Day Send comments to webmaster at vbrad@ufl.edu Last updated 15 Dec 2000 About this site