Jessica Gregory

Story by her parents, Sheila & William

Our 9-year old daughter, Jessica, is a spina bifida patient who has been seen by the doctors at Children’s National Medical Center since birth.  On Nov. 16, 1998, Jessica was born four weeks before she was due.  She was immediately transferred to Children's National.  Surgeons operated on her back to close a hole in her spinal cord. 

Because her feet were twisted, they put braces on her feet and informed us that she may have to wear them for the rest of her life. In addition, doctors told us she would have bladder and intestinal problems. 

When Jessica was 3 and a half, doctors suggested we put her in martial arts or ballet to help her with her balance and coordination. She had been in braces and physical therapy since infancy, and they were only going to take her so far. Since Jessica could not point her toes, we decided to put her in martial arts.

We are so grateful for the Children’s Hospital staff because she has a much better quality of life. She loves her doctors and tells others that she "thanks God for having surgery last year because things are so much better." She no longer requires physical therapy in school.  Her physical therapy is two days a week of martial arts at Full Circle Martial Arts Academy, whose instructors did not shy away from working with a child with a disability. The bonus she received from all of this is a major boost to her confidence.

If Children's had not encouraged us to enroll her in a program like this, she would not have the success she has today. She still can't point her toes, but she can do a front snap kick and a step-up side kick with the balance of a ballerina. 

Thanks to the excellent care she has received at Children's, Jessica is now fully independent and does not have to rely on us or her doctors to live normally. In fact, we often have to remind her that she still is only 9, and does have to rely on us for some things. Jessica attends regular school and has achieved her green belt in Kung Fu.  She continues to amaze us, her doctors, and all who have come to know and love her.