October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Each October, 180 Medical takes time to promote spina bifida awareness, share information about it, and provide greater information on the best ways for those with spina bifida to deal with their urologic conditions.
What is Spina Bifida?
Spina bifida is the most common congenital condition in the United States. At 180 Medical, we are proud to be a helpful resource and supplier of urologic catheters for children and adults with spinal bifida.
The Spina Bifida Association reports that:
- Each day in the United States, an average of eight babies are born with Spina Bifida or a similar defect of the brain and spine.
- An estimated 166,000 people in the United States currently live with Spina Bifida.
- Hispanic mothers are one-and-a-half to two times more likely to give birth to a child with Spina Bifida than non-Hispanic Caucasians.
Types of Spina Bifida
There are no two cases of spina bifida that are alike. Some people have conditions that are more severe than others. Spina bifida means “split spine.” Here are the different types of spina bifida:
- Occulta: The spinal cord and nerves are usually normal, and there is no opening on the back. It’s the mildest form and the most common.
- Meningocele: Protective spinal cord coverings come through the openings on the back.
- Myelomeningocele: The bones of the spinal column do not come together, and usually, there is no complete skin over the open spinal cord.
Living With Spina Bifida
One important part of Spina Bifida Awareness Month is letting you know you’re not alone. Adults and children living with spina bifida can still have full, exciting lives.
180 Medical employee Brendan, who was born with spina bifida, shares several helpful blog posts on the 180 Medical blog with tons of first-hand tips for navigating life with SB — from getting involved with adaptive sports to staying cool and healthy in the summer.
Plus, we’re honored to share Sarah and Margo’s story and testimonial for the service and catheter supplies they’ve received from 180 Medical for years.
Spina Bifida Awareness Month Matters to 180 Medical
We have been and continue to be proud sponsors of various programs and events that support awareness and funding for various Spina Bifida organizations, such as the Spina Bifida Association’s Walk-N-Roll events or their Education Days, which are affordable, life-changing events that bring the latest news and research while 
offering support to those with Spina Bifida and their families.
180 Medical offers an annual scholarship program for college students with spina bifida. It’s also available to students with spinal cord injuries, transverse myelitis, an ostomy, and/or a neurogenic bladder.
Please join us and the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) in spreading awareness about this condition all month long.
If you’d like to share your story about living with SB or how 180 Medical has helped you, go to 180medical.com/share-your-story/.
You can also check out the Spina Bifida Association on their Facebook page or official website.
Spina Bifida Resources and Support
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Spina Bifida
- Spina Bifida Family Support
- Spina Bifida Resource Network
- 180 Medical’s Annual College Scholarship Program – Available to Qualifying Full-Time Students with Spina Bifida
