Ann Shaw - Birth Defect, Spina bifida

Ann Shaw - Birth Defect, Spina bifida

I would not know anything about spina bifida if not for my friend Ann Shaw. Her son Cameron was born with this birth defect. Let me set you up for the conversation by sharing the definition so that you will have a reference point (if need be) for our discussion. 

Spina bifida - A congenital defect in which the spinal column is imperfectly closed so that part of the meninges or spinal cord protrudes, often resulting in hydrocephalus (A usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of the brain, destroying much of the neural tissue ) and other neurological disorders.

Neurological disorders are indeed part of the journey for Ann and her family. In this episode Ann shares how she and her husband Joe, navigate the challenges of life with their son Cameron who is now 18 years old. He has endured 40+ surgeries and a little over a year ago his life hung in the balance as doctors called on every resource they knew to use and/or had available.

What are Ann's questions for God especially when she sees her son in pain or bullied? When the quality of life is called into question what does that mean in a real time, real life and a real God whom we profess to be good?  Could it be that any perceived imperfection in this life is merely a mirror to the imperfection in one's heart?

Lived Loved and Thrive @ alifeofthrive.com

Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/7a3914e60db54e85955a643702dc63c4/edit_v2

Bio: Ann Shaw is a devoted wife and mother.  She has been married to her husband, Joe for 31 years and they have an 18 year old son, Cameron.

Ann worked in the dental field for more than 20 years managing the front office.  When she gave birth to a son with Spina bifida, she made the decision to stay home to care for him.  Cameron was in and out of the hospital since birth and was faced with many surgeries.  As a result, he has a permanent cecostomy tube in his stomach, he can’t feel his feet and is prone to infections. 

Ann quickly learned that this would be her new normal.  With her continued effort, she wanted to make Cameron’s life as normal as possible.  There were lots of struggles along the way, but she has always managed to maintain her joyous, positive attitude.