Approximately, 1,500 infants are born with Spina Bifida each year in the United States. Spina Bifida has been impacting thousands of families for decades. It costs roughly $41,000 to care for a child at the first year after birth; each year following, the cost is estimated to be around $14,000.

Despite Spina Bifida being a relatively rare condition, it affects Windsor High School directly. English teacher Kristy Pardeck’s own daughter, Addie, battles the disorder. Spina Bifida impacts nearly every aspect of her life. Addie cannot walk on her own. She cannot complete everyday functions without the aid of medical-grade walking devices. The price of these devices are enough to stun any middle-class income household, and this is no exception to the case of the Pardeck family.

“We hit our max out of pocket every single year in addition to paying specialist fees, which are steep and add up. We don’t qualify for any assistance. We use what grants we qualify for, but the cost just never ends,” said Pardeck.

Two years ago, Windsor’s International Thespian Society decided that they would lead the effort in raising money for Addie’s medical bills and to raise awareness for her condition. Their aim started small: just enough to dent the large amount owed by the Pardecks. Now it has become a staple within the International Thespian Society’s annual agenda, and the organization encourages other schools to follow suit and start a charity of their own, focused on the issues facing their students and faculty.

“Our aim was to raise money for Addie, and to help the Pardeck’s medical payments. We raised $1,500 dollars, which is more than we had the last two years combined. We started the campaign for Addie when we heard she had Spina Bifida and need special devices and medical equipment. Both of her parents are teachers and can use the extra help. We hope to raise $2000 next year, but we can always use more help. We need more ways to get money from students and the community,” said ITS sponsor Michelle Dalaviras.

Each year since the founding, Spina Bifida week has gotten progressively more popular and more successful. ITS members carefully arrange spirit days, promotional t-shirts, hoodies, and bracelets, and spina bifida awareness statistics weeks in advance. Veteran ITS member and Charity and Publicity Officer Tyler Lingle says early promotion is the key to a successful week.

“The awareness of the event was increased this year, allowing for more donations to Addie.  This year we doubled our donation total from last year, raising a total of $1500.This event is a great way to help out Addie and the Pardecks because, not only does it spread awareness of what her disease is, but it also helps out our teacher with the massive medical bills she has to pay. My advice for the future is to get the word out. The more people know about the event, the more it’s publicized, the more successful it will be,” said Lingle.