Spina Bifa Research Paper
One in 12 American female high school athletes will play a sport in college.
One in 190 Americans will live with the loss of a limb.
One in 1,000 Americans will be born with Spina Bifida.
How many people can say they fit into every one of those categories? One.
That one happens to be University of West Alabama’s own, Savannah “Taz” Smith.
Smith was born with Spina Bifada and underwent her first surgery to correct her spine when she was only one month old. Spina Bifada occurs when the neural tube in a baby’s brain fails to develop or properly close, causing defects in the spinal cord and the bones in the spine.
“As I got older, they noticed my leg wasn’t growing,” said Smith, “when I was six years old, I had what they call a club foot.” After years of trying to correct her foot, Smith’s parents finally decided to …show more content…
Smith soon followed in her older sister, Makenzie’s footsteps by playing basketball and softball. She even became a cheerleader—never letting her condition hold her back from doing her what she loved. Smith set her heart on catching when she was about twelve years old and despite her parents doubts about being fast enough with her prosthetic, she has excelled in her position.
Smith credits her coaches and parents for never giving up on her and pushing her to try her hardest, as the reason she keeps going. “All of my coaches honestly have never cut me any slack,” said Smith, “When they say ‘if you mess up, you’re running’, I still run. I still do the drills. I still run bases. I still do the conditioning. I’ve never had a coach let up on me.”
UWA softball’s head coach, Carie Dever-Boaz quickly recognized Smith’s determination, fearlessness and leadership skills within minutes of watching her play. “She has a ‘never say die’ attitude and never has an excuse for anything, even running—or hopping—stadiums at 6 a.m.” said
One in 190 Americans will live with the loss of a limb.
One in 1,000 Americans will be born with Spina Bifida.
How many people can say they fit into every one of those categories? One.
That one happens to be University of West Alabama’s own, Savannah “Taz” Smith.
Smith was born with Spina Bifada and underwent her first surgery to correct her spine when she was only one month old. Spina Bifada occurs when the neural tube in a baby’s brain fails to develop or properly close, causing defects in the spinal cord and the bones in the spine.
“As I got older, they noticed my leg wasn’t growing,” said Smith, “when I was six years old, I had what they call a club foot.” After years of trying to correct her foot, Smith’s parents finally decided to …show more content…
Smith soon followed in her older sister, Makenzie’s footsteps by playing basketball and softball. She even became a cheerleader—never letting her condition hold her back from doing her what she loved. Smith set her heart on catching when she was about twelve years old and despite her parents doubts about being fast enough with her prosthetic, she has excelled in her position.
Smith credits her coaches and parents for never giving up on her and pushing her to try her hardest, as the reason she keeps going. “All of my coaches honestly have never cut me any slack,” said Smith, “When they say ‘if you mess up, you’re running’, I still run. I still do the drills. I still run bases. I still do the conditioning. I’ve never had a coach let up on me.”
UWA softball’s head coach, Carie Dever-Boaz quickly recognized Smith’s determination, fearlessness and leadership skills within minutes of watching her play. “She has a ‘never say die’ attitude and never has an excuse for anything, even running—or hopping—stadiums at 6 a.m.” said