EXTENDING THIS UNTIL NEXT OCTOBER. :'D Now you [and I...D:] will have time to finish this~!

10/17/09 EDIT: Okay. I've been gone for a while due to my computer not...cooperating. But, the project has still been going on, though nothing has been posted yet. Just to let everyone who is interested in doing something know, there's only two weeks left until this project is over. That is all.
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IMPORTANT EDIT: Okay. I don't know if I put this already, but...I just thought I'd MAKE SURE you all knew this. My dad read this journal entry, and he thinks it's SUCH a good idea...that..once there's at least a few pieces of art on this... He wants to show this to the Illinois Spina Bifida Association...as well as his Spina Bifida parents e-mail group. So. No pressure, of course. xD I'm not sure what this means for anyone...but. Just thought I'd make sure there were no surprises.


..At least in this country. I dunno if it differs in other parts of the world.
But I recently found out that it is. o w o

So.

I was wanting to do a little project... As usual. = w = Instead of only drawing Halloween things this month...Why not do something for Spina Bifida?

Here's a little info for you guys.

Spina Bifida:
-Means "split spine" in Latin
-Is a birth defect
-Occurs in the first month of pregnancy
-Causes there to to be a gap in the spine, making nerves and spinal cord to not "connect correctly, so therefore makes a sac on the baby's back, filled with spinal fluid and the broken nerves [which needs to be removed, and then have the spine corrected and the back closed]
-Causes paralysis and loss of feeling in the feet and legs
-Causes other medical problems such as loss of bladder and bowel function
-Also tends to have Scoliosis [a curved spine] and Hydrocephalus [excess fluid around the brain] with it
-May make the person who has it have many surgeries to correct things
-Has no known cause, but there are some cases where there's almost proof it's genetic.
-Has at least one way to prevent it: Take extra folic acid in your diet, possibly folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy
-Is not contagious
-Is not like other physical disabilities where it gets worse over time
-Does not make a person less cognitive or less able to do things like get a job, make friends, date, get married, have children...or just...LIVE!
**If you need any other info... Go to [link] ... o w o It has some pretty useful information~ ...But a lot of the things I already mentioned, too.

Now. Myyyy...idea is... To make a piece of art, any media [Traditional drawing, digital drawing, painting, animation, photography, photomanipulation, any form of writing, etc.] that has something to do with Spina Bifida in some way. For example. A tattoo I wanted to get...but now I'm a bit...nervous to because of all the deep, bumpy scars I have there. xD; I was going to get a heart or something...on the part of my back that had the hole in it...which was a few inches above my uh...butt. So~! I don't know. Just...Whatever you come up with.
Of course, I'm making something as well. > w <

And. um... Possibly mention, maybe in the description that it's spina bifida awareness month? o w o;; -Shrugs-

That's basically it. Just do what inspires you, I guess. Be creative~?
And.
If you'd like...Tell your friends about this project, or just direct them to this journal...?

Of course...It wouldn't be Spina Bifida awareness month without actually spreading awareness...? > w>;;

Just an idea. :3 Let me know if you'd like to. I'll add all the art here.

<3
Sarah.

Art For Spina Bifida Awareness Month
- [link]