Mental Health America – a proud member charity of Community
Health Charities and the leading advocacy organization addressing the full
spectrum of mental and substance use conditions and their effects nationwide –
works to inform, advocate and enable access to quality behavioral health
services for all Americans.
Mental Health America continues its tradition of celebrating
May as Mental Health Month, which began in 1949 to raise awareness of mental
health conditions and mental wellness for all.
In 2005, Carl and Kelly Mitchum were thrilled to learn that they were expecting their first child. Like most first time parents they began to make plans for their new baby, a son. Kelly had this perfect picture of their perfect family with a perfect baby boy.
In 2005, Carl and Kelly Mitchum were thrilled to learn that they were expecting their first child. Like most first time parents they began to make plans for their new baby, a son. Kelly had this perfect picture of their perfect family with a perfect baby boy.
Her dreams were falling into place until one of her routine OBGYN appointments revealed their son had Spina Bifida. At that moment, the Mitchum’s felt like someone took their perfect picture and ripped it to shreds. They wondered what did this mean and how would their lives change?
Feeling overwhelmed and scared, they turned to the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) for help. SBA helped ease their anxiety and gave them hope by providing information and resources and ultimately put them in touch with their local SBA Chapter. The Mitchum’s Chapter became an integral part of their son’s journey helping them to understand Spina Bifida and meet other families affected by it.
A few months later, Carl and Kelly welcomed their son Brock into the world. Brock is now a bright, active, 5 year-old that loves to run and play and do all the things that boys do! They learned that Spina Bifida does not mean the end—it is just the beginning of an evolving journey.
The effects of Spina Bifida are different for every person. Up to 90 percent of children with the worst form of Spina Bifida have hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) and must have surgery to insert a “shunt” that helps drain the fluid; the shunt stays in place for the lifetime of the person. Other conditions include full or partial paralysis, bladder and bowel control difficulties, learning disabilities, depression, latex allergy, and social and sexual issues.
Thanks to new medical treatments and technology, most people born with Spina Bifida can expect to live a normal life. People with Spina Bifida have many special challenges because of their birth defect, but their condition does not define who they are. People with Spina Bifida have careers, get married, and have children just like people who do not have Spina Bifida.
Mental Health America – a proud member charity of Community
Health Charities and the leading advocacy organization addressing the full
spectrum of mental and substance use conditions and their effects nationwide –
works to inform, advocate and enable access to quality behavioral health
services for all Americans.
In 2005, Carl and Kelly Mitchum were thrilled to learn that they were expecting their first child. Like most first time parents they began to make plans for their new baby, a son. Kelly had this perfect picture of their perfect family with a perfect baby boy. 
In 2005, Carl and Kelly Mitchum were thrilled to learn that they were expecting their first child. Like most first time parents they began to make plans for their new baby, a son. Kelly had this perfect picture of their perfect family with a perfect baby boy. 
