Raising funds to combat disease
She was diagnosed with spina bifida occulta at just 18 months of age and has endured 13 surgeries as a result. Destrehan’s Riley Zeringue nonetheless has persevered.
And Zeringue wants others affected and enduring their own battles to know it can be done.
For weeks, the Destrehan High School senior has been raising funds to combat and spread awareness about spina bifida. She created a video featuring many of the doctors who have performed her surgeries to let people know that while there are many obstacles to living with spina bifida, it can be managed and a high quality of life can be achieved.
“(The doctors) spoke about spina bifida and how they’ve seen it affect my life,” Zeringue said. “People don’t necessarily know about it … they’ve heard of it, but don’t know that it’s about the spinal cord and nerves, the complications on how it can be managed.
“Through researching it, I saw that in many cases, (the diagnosis) resulted in abortion because people thought there’s no cure, so there’s no hope … they weren’t educated on it and didn’t know it can be managed. So I wanted to share this with people and educate them, to hopefully make a difference in someone’s life.”
Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. It is a type of neural tube defect and it can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close all the way.
[pullquote]“I wanted people to see all I’ve been through and how far I’ve come .” – Riley Zeringue[/pullquote]When the neural tube doesn’t close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn’t form and close as it should. This often results in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
The video and fundraising was put into action for her senior project, and people have responded. She’s raised over $1,100.
Proceeds raised will go to the Spina Bifida clinic at Children’s Hospital.
Zeringue admits the path isn’t an easy one.
“With each surgery, it’s definitely another challenge to overcome in that it’s another recovery, the same chances, the same risk … it’s scary, but you can definitely do it,” she said. “Not just something people say or want you to believe. You can really do it if you have faith.”
Growing up, she had to cope with not being able to take part in all of the same activities as others her age, like playing sports.
And while she never was able to do all of the same things as others physically, she found herself passionate about other activities. She joined talented theatre in the second grade and may pursue that further once she reaches Loyola University in New Orleans, where she will attend college.
“It always helped me manage my emotions … on the stage, you’re another person and nobody’s judging you,” Zeringue said. “It was a great outlet for me.”
Be the first to comment