Danielles' page!

 
Danielle Reyes's Story--submitted by her mom Shannon Turnbow

My name is Shannon and my daughter Danielle Reyes Turnbow was born with Spina Bifida. I was 16 and found myself pregnant and alone. The father was 16 also and wanted no part in the pregnancy.

At first I was terrified I had no idea what to do and if I could do it alone. Then I was determined that no one was going to raise this child but me, it was mine. I went to work at a department store and when I had insurance I went to the Doctor.

All was well until at 12 or 13 weeks into my pregnancy. I had an Alpha Fetal Protein test done and the levels came back high. The Doctor told me that it meant that I may be having twins or a child with Spina Bifida. What's that?? I had no idea what that was. My Doctor sent me to have an ultrasound. That showed nothing so the Doctor asked if I wanted an Amniocentesis. I asked if I had one and it showed that the baby had SB then what could we Do to fix it. She said that we could terminate the pregnancy. I did not want to face that decision so I declined. At 61/2 months into my pregnancy I had an ultrasound. They asked me to go back to check some thing that they couldn't get a good measurement on. I was not worried at all at this time and just wanted another look at my baby.

At that time I met the man I later married. He was a co-worker and a good friend. He went with me to the Doctor that fateful day. The poor guy had no idea what he was in for. I went back to see the Doctor and asked the nurse if the ultrasound had given them the info they needed (measurements and all).  She got really fidgety and said she did not know how to read them and I would have to ask the Doctor. My Doctor was out of town that day, so I had to see the midwife. She came in and told me that the ultrasound showed that my baby was going to be born with SB. She said that the Doctor would be in and tell me more. I was so alone at that time and needed some one to be with me that I asked Shanon to come in with me He had no idea what I said at that time I just cried and mumbled and cried!! The doctor came in and said that I had two options I could go to Seattle and abort it or have it. There was no option as far as I was concerned This was my baby and NO one was going to take her.

On November the 17, 1990 I had a baby girl via C-section and named her Danielle she was 7lbs.1oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. My future husband was there the whole time helping me, supporting me, and loving me. It was not an easy pregnancy at the end and he had a very full plate. It may sound strange that a man would be involved with some one that was pregnant but I felt God had a purpose in the timing I needed some one to care for me and keep me strong and my husband needed some one to depend on him to show him that he had a purpose in life. He has since adopted Danielle and now its legal but in our heart she was always his.

Danielle is 10 now and the most out going and happy child you have ever met she now has a 7 year old brother Chase and a 5 year old sister Breanna.

E-mail Shannon at: Shayanshann@aol.com

NEXT

back to pictures/stories

Home | All about Andrew | Spina Bifida info