Spina Bifida Support Group
Spina bifida describes birth defects caused by an incomplete closure of one or more vertebral arches of the spine, resulting in malformations of the spinal cord. The spinal membranes and spinal cord may protrude through the absence of vertebral arches (called clefts).
Please do not be to harsh on me if I ask something the wrong way. Hoping to get an idea what I need to ask him or need to know about him if I were to get involved. Recently met him online he has SB. I really do not know very much about it at all. I have actually been kinda dating someone else for about a month and was talking to him as a friend because of a common interest. Very long story short and many hours of talking later it is quickly heading to more. I know nothing about it really or what questions I need to ask. I know he is in a chair, used to be able to use crutches but because of a bladder surgery of some type he will now always be in a chair. Works very fine sexually. He has a chest and upper arms that keep me awake thinking about him at night. From what he has said his chair keeps him from nothing it just means he has to do it different. Long term what kind of problems can i expect from someone like this in my life. What do I need to ask him? He is 34 now I am 38. I lost my husband in 06' because of complications from diabetes and I do not want to go through something like that again. Are there a lot of complications from SB. What about children. He mentioned he wanted one maybe one day. Does the fact he has it increase the odds of a child having it?
Generally your odds of having a child with SB is only slightly increased by a spouse with SB. The chance goes from like 2% to 4 %. That is still a pretty low risk. Taking folic acid daily well before you conceive will help reduce the risk.
No one can predict what will happen with a person with SB. Some do well for a long, long time with no problems. Others have some walking or bladder deterioration (Doesn't function right). But there are new treatments coming along every time, and it sounds like he is already not walking and has had work done on his bladder.
Many people with Sb get married, have kids, and live long happy lives. You just cannot predict what health issues a person will have, though.