💚 TEAM SCARLETT 💚
Most people who know Scarlett see a happy, funny, strong-willed little girl who wants to do everything the other kids are doing.
What they don't always see is everything that happens behind the scenes.
Scarlett was born with spina bifida. She has already undergone multiple spinal surgeries and more medical appointments, procedures and tests than any child should have to know. She travels to Boston Children's Hospital for specialty care. She manages things every single day that other kids her age never have to think about—catheterizing, bowel care, pain, fatigue, and learning how to become independent with a body that sometimes makes ordinary things a little harder.
And she does all of this while just wanting to be Scarlett.
She wants to play sports. She wants to keep up with her friends. She wants to be independent. She doesn't want to be treated differently or have everyone know when something is harder for her.
As her mom, there are moments when I wish I could take every difficult part of this journey away from her. But there are also moments when I stand back and realize just how incredibly strong this little girl has become.
We've watched her get back up after surgeries. We've watched her work through pain and frustration. We've watched her learn to do things independently that once required our help. And we've watched her walk into the world over and over again determined not to let spina bifida decide who she gets to be.
That is why Spina Bifida Kansas City means so much to our family.
SBKC gives families like ours something medicine can't provide—a community of people who understand. It gives kids like Scarlett the opportunity to be around other kids who don't need an explanation. Kids who understand that sometimes life looks a little different, while also knowing that different doesn't mean less.
This year, we're asking our friends and family to help us support that community through Team Scarlett.
If you're able to donate, no amount is too small. Your donation helps SBKC continue providing programs, resources, experiences and support for children and families living this journey.
And when you donate to Team Scarlett, you're supporting something we hope she carries with her for the rest of her life:
The knowledge that she is capable.
That she has a community behind her.
And that spina bifida may always be part of her story—but it will never be the whole story.
Thank you for loving our girl, believing in her and cheering for her through every chapter.
💚 Team Scarlett, always. 💚
