When Jessica first received her son Parker’s Spina Bifida diagnosis, she felt lost and overwhelmed. Doctors painted a grim picture of what life would look like for her family. Then everything changed.
Through the Spina Bifida Association’s Expectant Parent Network, she connected with another mother who offered something priceless: real, tangible hope. It was at that moment Jessica realized she wasn’t alone. Now, as a mentor herself, Jessica carries that same spark of hope to new parents, ensuring they never feel the same isolation she once did.
This is a story of connection, resilience, and a community of parents who uplift each other. This is Megan and Jessica’s story, two mothers brought together by the Expectant Parent Network to navigate a journey they never expected. And because you’re part of our extended family of friends and supporters, it’s your story, too.
Jessica’s Story: From Mentee to Mentor
When Jessica first saw Megan’s post in a support group for parents of children with Spina Bifida, she knew Megan was facing the same fear and uncertainty she had once felt. Megan had just received her baby’s diagnosis, and like Jessica years earlier, she was bombarded with worst-case scenarios and left without answers.
Jessica immediately reached out, offering guidance on where to find care for both Megan and her baby, Wyatt. “I could tell she needed more than just medical advice,” Jessica said. “She needed someone to check in on her as a mother.” Jessica didn’t just share information; she shared hope. She sent pictures of Parker, her son, playing and living a full life. In a world where Megan had been told to expect the worst, Jessica’s photos and words were a lifeline. Megan described that first connection as “snapping out of the darkness.” She rushed to tell her husband, “We’re going to be okay.” Through the Expectant Parent Network, Jessica and Megan formed a bond that went beyond mentor and mentee. They became friends, attending playdates and birthday parties with their children. Jessica continues to support Megan in moments of doubt, reminding her that she’s not alone and that Wyatt will thrive, just as Parker has.
Megan’s Journey: From Fear to Hope
For Megan and her husband, Dylan, the diagnosis was a shock. Sitting in a doctor’s office after miscarrying three times before, she was told her son might not survive—or worse, he might never live a meaningful life. She felt her future had been ripped away. “I had never felt so sad and lost,” she recalled. Then she found the Expectant Parent Network. Hundreds of parents reached out, offering advice, photos, and stories of hope. But it was Jessica’s message that changed everything. “It was instant hope,” Megan said. “Jessica showed me that life with Spina Bifida isn’t what the doctors said; it’s full of love, joy, and purpose.” With Jessica by her side, Megan felt empowered. She connected with the right medical professionals and found a community of families who, like hers, were fighting for their children’s futures. “I don’t know where we would be without the network. I want Wyatt to know that he can do anything, and that the sky’s the limit. This community helped me believe that again.”
Why the Expectant Parent Network Matters
For parents receiving a Spina Bifida diagnosis, the lack of accurate information and compassionate support can be devastating. They’re presented with outdated, incorrect, or grim perspectives, leaving families without the tools they need to make informed decisions. The Expectant Parent Network changes that. It connects expectant parents with mentors who have been through the same experience and provides them with real-life examples of what life with Spina Bifida can look like. But this network needs your support to continue its life-changing work. With more families facing the uncertainty of a Spina Bifida diagnosis, the need for expanded resources, trained mentors, and widespread awareness is greater than ever.
By donating to the Spina Bifida Association today, you can help expand the reach of the Expectant Parent Network so families like Megan’s can find hope in their darkest moments. Your gift means fewer families have to face this diagnosis alone and more parents can find a community of support, guidance, and love. Will you help us make that future a reality?