Tiffanie Hill encourages focus on abilities rather than Spina Bifida disability

Spina Bifida Awareness

14-year-old to encourage focus on abilities

14-year-old Tiffanie Hill has not been asked to attend a social party since she was in year 5, has experienced severe bullying and has even heard an elderly woman say to her mother "they used to lock them up in my day", as a result of her disability.

Tiffanie, Ambassador for Northcott's 2009 Spina Bifida Awareness Week campaign, hopes her story living with spina bifida will encourage others to learn more about Australia's second most common physical disability during Spina Bifida Awareness Week.

Tiffanie's story begins at birth when she was diagnosed with spina bifida, a neural tube defect for which there is no cure. Spina bifida means 'split or divided' spine and occurs when the spinal cord fails to complete its development in the early weeks of pregnancy. Spina bifida can affect people in a variety of ways in walking difficulties (from reduced sensation in the legs to paralysis), bowel and bladder problems and hydrocephalus, which can affect memory and learning ability.

Having lived with spina bifida over the past 14 years, Tiffanie has experienced something she classifies is worse than any operation or medical procedure she goes through for her disability, social segregation.

"When I was young and my mother would ask me to go to the shops with her I would refuse, because I was too scared and embarrassed of the amount of people which would stare at me," Tiffanie said. "I have also had a very difficult time at school making friends because I walk a bit different, sometimes use a wheelchair and take a little more time to learn things."

Tiffanie has learnt to accept the fact she has a disability, is happy with who she is and knows that despite her disability, she also has many abilities. Tiffanie is currently on a 100% music scholarship at her school, written and recorded her own song, plays the piano, flute, guitar and is also the singer of the school's rock band.

Looking to the future, Tiffanie would have loved to be a ballet dancer or power skater, but hopes to become a motivational speaker, encouraging others to look at people's abilities first.

Spina Bifida Awareness Week, September 1-7, is a campaign run by Northcott Disability Services to promote the achievements of people with spina bifida and the importance of a folate rich diet for women of child bearing age.

Folate intake has been recognised as a beneficial measure to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. A great variety of cereals, breads, nuts, fruit and vegetables are considered excellent sources of folate.

Northcott Disability Services provides support and services to over 6000 people living with disabilities and their families across NSW and the ACT. For more information visit www.northcott.com.au.