The Spina Bifida Coalition, Inc.

10/31/2025

Rocky Byington sat down with us for a candid conversation about how he navigates relationships. As an adult with spina bifida, Rocky doesn’t gloss over the complexities of daily life. He’s married to his husband, and together they’re raising three kids. He spoke openly about the realities of parenting, partnership, and moving through social spaces that aren’t always built with disability in mind. His style is refreshingly straightforward: he names what’s challenging, what’s working, and what’s still a work in progress.

10/29/2025

Beth Blaylock on Relationships: Say What You Mean!

Beth Blaylock doesn’t sugarcoat her views on relationships—she’s clear, candid, and grounded in experience.

Three years ago, she had a stroke. She’s now working toward a major goal, driving again. She’s also upfront about living with spina bifida and believes honesty is essential, especially in romantic relationships.

Beth describes her husband, Chuck, as her closest partner and strongest advocate—someone who’s been there through good and bad. She keeps a tight circle of friends and makes a point to stay connected.

For Beth, communication isn’t optional. Whether it’s about health, commitment, or everyday life, she believes strong relationships start with truth.

10/28/2025

We spoke with Drake Ash, mother of Emily—an adult living with spina bifida—about their journey with self-advocacy. Over the years, they’ve navigated challenges in healthcare, education, employment, and relationships. Through it all, Drake has been a steady source of support, helping Emily build the confidence to speak up, make decisions, and advocate for herself.

Their story reflects the reality many families face: progress isn’t always easy, but persistence matters. Emily continues to grow into her own voice, and Drake’s role has shifted from advocate to ally—standing beside her, not in front of her. Together, they’ve shown what it means to push for inclusion, respect, and independence.

10/25/2025

Nothing Stops Jackson Pugh!

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and we’re highlighting voices from our community to raise awareness and support self-advocacy.

We sat down with 8-year-old Jackson Wix and his mom, Amy, to learn more about Jackson’s life with spina bifida. He talked about school, physical therapy, and his dream of becoming a singer. Amy shared how she helps Jackson stay active and confident.

Jackson is full of energy and excitement, and he doesn’t let anything slow him down!

10/25/2025

10/23/2025

Transportation - A Lifeline

Kelly Johnson is an adult with spina bifida who lives in a long-term care facility. She talked with us about her experiences using transportation throughout her life and how she has managed it while living in the long-term care facility. Getting around hasn’t always been easy. She shared stories about times when transportation worked well and times when it didn’t.

Her experiences show how important it is to have safe, reliable ways to get to places. For Kelly, transportation isn’t just about going somewhere—it’s a lifeline for staying connected and being independent.

10/15/2025