Angeline Gonzalez-Abreu of Hollywood, Fla., is a bright, beautiful, chatty 2-year-old. She's also strong-willed and determined, qualities that will stand her in good stead as she faces the challenges of growing up with spina bifida.

"I think Angie is very special, but I don't want her to think she's 'special needs' because I don't want her to view herself in that way," says Angeline's mother, Emily Gonzalez-Abreu. "I want her to keep that strong urge to try and to succeed."

According to the Spina Bifida Association of America, spina bifida is the most commonly-occurring permanently disabling birth defect, affecting one of every 1,000 newborns. In spite of that, spina bifida has a short history simply because until just 15 or 20 years ago, children with spina bifida rarely lived past childhood. However, in that time, advances in surgical care, infection control and an increased focus on adaptive life skills have allowed children with spina bifida to grow into adults with spina bifida. And they are adults who are not disabled but able and willing to meet the challenges of living in a world that has to be continually educated about adapting to all abilities.

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs early in pregnancy, often before a woman even realizes she is pregnant. At some point during this time in the embryo's development, the neural tube (which develops into the brain, spinal cord and vertebral column) fails to form properly, leaving the spinal cord exposed. The result is varying degrees of paralysis and loss of sensation.

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