About Us

Spina bifida is one of the most devastating of all birth defects and it affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in Massachusetts. A neural tube disorder that is both genetically and environmentally determined, spina bifida can cause complex and serious health issues in numerous systems within the body. Children born with spina bifida may need multiple surgeries and other extensive medical care throughout their lifetimes to address orthopedic, urological, neurological and other issues. However, thanks to advances in medical technology, most children born with spina bifida today live well into adulthood and are thriving members of society.

As with any other complex health issue, spina bifida comes with its own set of social, educational and psychological challenges. For families and individuals dealing with the complexities of living with spina bifida, there is a tremendous need for a community dedicated to providing support and information to its members. Every parent, every sibling and every individual impacted by spina bifida has a need, at some point, to commune with others in their same situation.

That's who the Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts is: A community of support for a large group of Massachusetts residents who sometimes need an empathetic ear or a voice of advocacy. We are staffed entirely by volunteers dedicated to supporting our mission. We work efficiently to provide support where it is needed most and we are doing our best to raise awareness about spina bifida in our region.

The Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts is dedicated to helping individuals with spina bifida in the Bay State achieve their maximum potential. A member of the Spina Bifida Association of America, the sbaMass was founded in 1973 to promote the prevention of spina bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected by it.

The sbaMass provides support, education, financial assistance and information for Massachusetts children and adults with spina bifida, the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the U.S. today. The sbaMass organizes educational programs/speakers, provides equipment and/or equipment financial assistance, maintains a "Teen and Young Adult" program, sponsors youth camperships, and administers a "Parents Helping Parents" program for families and individuals affected by spina bifida. Our sbaMass NEWS and regular social events are the foundation for the spina bifida community in Massachusetts.

To find out more about the different committees the sbaMass is forming and how they fit into the larger picture of or our organization as a whole, have a look at our Strategic Plan and the List of Committees now forming.

Where are our members located?