Spina Bifida... my diagnosis, not who I am.

When I see my daughter smile, it is this passage in scripture I recall, as it has and continues to radiate with light: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3

Elaina Joy Parks entered the world on March 14th, 2007. Weighing in at 7lbs and 4oz, she made a small 17-3/4" imprint on our hands, but the imprint she made on our hearts was huge, she forever changed our world.

Diagnosed at 20 weeks gestation with myelomeningocele the most severe form of spina bifida, while still nestled in the womb she was given a bleak outlook for what her life may become. In the 10 years since her birth she has stomped, quite literally, on the discouraging expectations of the medical professionals providing her prenatal care, growing up into a lovely young lady who lights up the lives of those she meets with her big smile and contagious joy.

I , Tarra, Elaina's mother care to share about her life, what it's like facing the challenges that come with spina bifida, and how we address those challenges, as a means to spread encouragement and awareness, providing a real and insightful look into her journey. Going back to the beginning, I recall that as the nurses were preparing to usher Elaina into the operating room at 15 hours old, through tears I draped my arms atop her incubator and prayed a little prayer that went something like this "Father, please guide the hands of the doctors performing this surgery, and may what they do be done to perfection, so she may never need surgery again". I took that prayer seriously then, and it proved providential in guiding our decision to divert from the standard-of-care method that the modern medical professionals desired to prescribe.

I welcome you to her life story as it continues to be written, and invite you to follow along as she continues to blossom into exactly who He has created her to be, which we know is a young lady with a hope filled future.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares YHVH, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11