[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 176 (Wednesday, October 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN HERN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 2023

  Mr. HERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Spina 
Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day, as well as October as National Spina 
Bifida Month.
  Spina Bifida impacts families across these United States, my own 
included. My sister and niece have lived with Spina Bifida since 
childhood.
  Spina Bifida is a birth defect which results from a hole in the 
spiral cord that fails to close properly, which allows nerves and fluid 
to form a sac outside the body. This defect means that a child must 
undergo dozens of surgeries before adulthood, and even then, they face 
a multitude of mental and physical health issues. Each condition is 
unique, and no two children will be affected the same way.
  In a testament to the innovation and research of our American 
scientific ingenuity, we now have the first generation of adults who 
are living with Spina Bifida. However, there is still much work to do.
  It is our obligation to ensure proper funding for Spina Bifida care 
and research so that treatment and quality of life can improve for all 
Americans with this condition.

                          ____________________