My name is Brigitte my cousin Natalie has a 3-year-old daughter named Autumn who has Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele (SB). I have signed up for the Surrey 1/2 Marathon on 11/03/18 to help raise funds for Autumn. The aim is to raise £1900 which will cover 1 yr’s fees. If more is raised that would be amazing. Her story is below.

Autumn was born with a neural tube defect called SB. This congenital birth defect results in the incomplete development of the vertebrae of the spine, leaving a gap which exposes the spinal column & the meninges (nerve endings in the spinal cord). Surgery is required to close the lesion & even after successful closure there are life-altering ‘complexities’ as the spinal cord has been damaged. There are different types of SB depending on whereabouts on the back the lesion occurred. Due to nerve damage SB patients have little to no bladder & bowel control, so a ‘Continence Plan’ must be put in place as part of daily routine. She has to be catheterised every 3 hrs to assist her to empty her bladder as doesn’t function as it should, she also takes meds for this purpose. She has a daily enema to ensure regular bowel movement.

Autumn started walking last yr which was a huge milestone as most children with SB are paralysed or have very little lower limb sensation & mobility. She also has Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) due to a common brain malformation associated with SB called Chiari Malformation. This can cause learning difficulties & more subtle challenges such as light & sound sensitivity, etc

Autumn attends app at the Red Cross Hospital, every 6 months to a yr to see a no of specialists. They receive a monthly government grant of R1600.00 (£100) which she is dependent on, to provide for her needs.

Autumn has been home schooled for the past yr as it’s incredibly difficult to find ideal Special Needs Centres. They have found an ideal school but is unable to afford the monthly fees of R2600.00 (£150).

Thank you!