Highlighting the Laurita Spina Bifida Orlando Charity Project

Today we are highlighting a global charity founded in Orlando called the Laurita Spina Bifida Project. As a local business, here at TCDG Studios we love looking at local charities with great purpose and showing them appreciation for the work they do. The founder and president of this spina bifida Orlando charity is Laurita Tellado. As an adult with spina bifida, Laurita has learned to use her first-hand knowledge to educate health professionals and start a global conversation about spina bifida.

What is Spina Bifida and How Does the Laurita Spina Bifida Project Help Others?

Spina bifida is a birth defect in which a developing baby’s spinal cord fails to develop the way it should. Although this defect is not fatal, it can lead to dangerous complications, such as life-threatening infections.

Laurita, the founder of the Laurita Spina Bifida Project, began her charity because she felt many issues that affect the spina bifida community were not addressed properly. For one, many people with this disability, particularly in developing countries, are treated as if they are cursed. Rather than getting the proper supplies and aid they need, they are sent to “witch doctors.” For that reason, Laurita wanted to reach out to others in the spina bifida community, educate them, and send orthotic supplies to those who cannot afford it.

The Laurita Spina Bifida Protect recently raised $1,000 to send orthotic supplies to the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Tanzania (ASBAHT) for children with this disability.

Sifa Sylvia, Administrative Officer for ASBAHT, said, “One of the barriers to education for children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus in Tanzania is mobility aid. With the funds received, the association will purchase wheelchairs, orthopedic shoes, a walker, crutches, and a knee prosthesis.”

Additionally, Laurita’s spina bifida Orlando charity hopes to connect the global spina bifida community through social media to generate more awareness and help destigmatize the disability across the globe.

Laurita also hopes to bring into attention the importance of mental health care for people with spina bifida. “As we grow older and become teens and adults, those of us with spina bifida are at greater risk for clinical depression. Mental health issues deserve to be addressed with the same level of urgency as a physical ailment. Oftentimes, people with spina bifida struggle more with the invisible symptoms that come with this condition,” Laurita said.

Laurita’s great spina bifida Orlando charity is helping people all over the world get the care they need. The Laurita Spina Bifida Project is definitely creating awareness and promoting well-being in the community. We hope our highlight of this wonderful charity helps bring more awareness and encourages others to help. For more information, visit Laurita Spina Bifida Project’s Facebook Page.