Volleyball team to 'Serve for Spina Bifida'

 The Durand volleyball team is once again planning a fundraiser game to benefit a local family.Taylynn Richardson, daughter of Matt and Josie Richardson, was diagnosed with Spina Bifida when Josie was 20 weeks pregnant."The doctors told us she wouldn't walk, and would basically have no life," Josie said. "As a family, we made the decision to move forward."Josie gave birth to Taylynn via c-section, and Taylynn underwent her first surgery the same day. Two days later, Taylynn had a shunt installed to treat her hydrocephalus, which Josie said is one of the top symptoms of Spina Bifida. Now four years old, Taylynn has undergone 10 surgeries in the last three years. "It's been a long journey," Josie said. "All but one of her surgeries were shunt related."Each hospital stay has been over a week long, said Josie. Taylynn has braces on her legs and has to use a walker to help her walk, a wheelchair for long distances, and lives with bladder and bowel issues. She also gets weekly therapy.Within the first four weeks of the pregnancy, a fetus' spine should close up, like a zipper. With Spina Bifida the spine remains open, leaving the nerves exposed. "It's like a puzzle being put together under a time limit," Matt said. "It just didn't happen."According to the Spina Bifida Association, Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States, and literally means "split spine." About eight babies born in the United States every day have Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. The cause of Spina Bifida is not known, but genetic and environmental factors are believed to act together to cause the condition.When Josie was pregnant with Taylynn, an open fetal surgery for Spina Bifida was in trial stages, and not covered by insurance. Earlier this year, when Josie was pregnant with another daughter, Stella, who was also diagnosed with Spina Bifida at 18 weeks gestation, the surgery had been approved.The surgery is meant to give the child a chance of not needing a shunt, and better strength in the lower extremities, giving them a chance at a better life, said Josie."They are able to do the repair so the nerves aren't exposed as long," she said.At 25 weeks pregnant, Josie and Stella underwent the surgery on May 27. For unknown reasons, Stella did not make it through the surgery.Josie said new procedures are being developed for Spina Bifida all the time. In the future, Josie said they are looking at getting a chait catheter, hip surgery, and shunt replacement. Matt said the chances of the shunt failing decrease after age four. Taylynn is facing two possible surgeries this year."We need to keep an eye on her kidneys and colon, too," Josie said.September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, and October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Serve for Spina Bifida will be held Tuesday, October 14, at the Panthers' game against Ellsworth. The event follows in the tracks of the previous fundraisers, Tips for Trevor and Digs for Drew. The event will include the miracle minute, chance-to-win baskets, and t-shirt sales. Money from the concession stand will also be donated to the Richardsons. Head coach Tatia Hurlburt said the team is accepting donations for prizes, and anyone interested in contributing can contact her or the Durand High School office.Hurlburt said the team heard about Taylynn and immediately chose her for this year's fundraiser. This year's shirts will be dark blue with yellow lettering, and will be available soon.