 We were a typical couple anxiously awaiting the birth of our first child when our whole world came crashing down. Karen was 18 weeks pregnant with Brenden when we were told he would be born with Spina Bifida. We were too shocked to ask questions, knowing that we'd just go home and dive into the Internet for answers. The months ahead were spent online gathering all the possible scenarios of what he might be like, what he might need help with, and ultimately what we'd have to learn and look out for.
We started out with a simple notebook, listing all of the tests and surgeries that occurred, but still had to read off the list to each doctor that saw us and it always seemed that none of them bothered to read Brenden's file. Brenden's paternal grandparents, Russ and Niki, wanted to take Brenden for a ride in their car, just a simple ride, but we wouldn't allow it until we were comfortable knowing that they'd have all of the information they would need if anything horrible happened. Vital Card® then came to be and once it was designed, it was verified by his neurosurgeon, copied and laminated for each of his car seats, diaper bags, emergency contact people, etc. That was in June of 2001 and Vital Card® was born! |
Our beautiful boy is older now and he has two younger brothers, Jacob and Aden. After years of organizing and juggling appointments with therapists, doctors and other professionals, memorizing surgical histories and carrying around a 10-pound pile of MRI and CT images (not to mention paying for our own copies), we knew there should be a simpler way.