Last week, the International Thespian Society raised nearly $700 for teacher Kristy Pardeck and her daughter, Addie Pardeck.

As many students and staff already know, Kristy Pardeck’s daughter was born in 2014 with a birth defect called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida occurs when the neural tube in the embryonic structure doesn’t fully develop in the baby’s brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them. Normally, the neural tube forms early in the pregnancy and closes by the 28th day after conception. In Addie’s case, a section of the neural tube failed to develop or close properly, causing defects in the spinal cord and in the bones of the spine.  When treatment for Spina bifida is necessary, it is done surgically, however, there is lifelong medical complications.

With this condition, medical bills quickly pile up.

Pardeck said, “To date, her medical expenses have cost her insurance company over a quarter of a million dollars, and personally we have spent somewhere between $35,000-$40,000 in out of pocket expenses in her two year life span.”

Kristy Pardeck said that Addie has to use a special walker to get around on a daily basis. They also have to get Addie checked by multiple doctors to ensure that she is healthy.

“Altogether, Addie has about 18 doctors, specialists, therapists and caseworkers who regularly contribute to her progress.  This past year, she has had about 15 specialist appointments and one major surgery,” Pardeck said.

For Spina bifida awareness week, the ITS raised money in a variety of ways. First, they sold shirts and bracelets. Then, after raising money in teacher jars at lunch, the teachers with the most money in their jars got a pie in the face. Whitney Crabtree and Michael Sellman were the two lucky winners of that contest.

“The pie tasted great,” Crabtree said with a smile.

Crabtree, along with teacher Michelle Dalaviras, runs the International Thespian Society and have held fundraisers in each of the past two years for Pardeck.

“We do it to help Pardeck with all of the medical expenses,” Crabtree said.