Kimberly

My name is Kimberly Shaver and I was born with Myelomeningocele Spina bifida. I can walk with forearm crutches and I wear braces on my legs. But I do have a scooter for long distances. I have a Ventrical Peritoneal shunt. I am pretty independent. I do most everything myself. I am single and have no kids. When I was born I had a hole in my spine they closed it and also I had ten surgeries before I could go home. When I was growing up and in school I was never treated differently thank god.

When I was growing up I had multiple surgeries on my legs. I spent a summer in a body cast. I was main streamed throughout my school years. And graduated high school in 1989. I had over 30 surgeries mostly for my SB. I wasn't able to have children. Even though I have Spina Bifida I have gone to many places. But traveling is kind of difficult being physically challenged. The hardest part of traveling for me is boarding a plane and sitting in seats because I am a big person. I was driving my own car for a while but not anymore. That is my choice.

My future goals is to hopefully own my own house. Depending on the seasons, I love spending time outside and swimming. The winter and cold is no friend of mine. But New York State has the best medical insurance and doctors for my needs. So I stay here.

For anyone that has Spina Bifida, I would say " I hope you never give up. Always push yourself to get what you want". "No matter what, the word "Can't" is not a word in my vocabulary. Don't let anyone stop you from accomplishing what you want to do in your journey."

Kimberly says "For anyone that has a child with Spina Bifida. Treat them like any other child you raise. Don't hold them back from trying new things. Life for them is gonna be a challenge that is obvious. If it's not needed don't put them in special classes. Let them go to regular classes like the other kids."