October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month! The most common permanently disabling birth defect, spina bifida occurs in the first 28 days of pregnancy. It impacts each individual differently depending on the location it develops on the spine and its size. There are many types of spina bifida, the most common of which are: spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. World Spina Bifida Day is celebrated annually on October 25th. Many celebrate by wearing teal on this day. Learn more about spina bifida or find a support association near you using the links below. Scroll down to find a collection of books with spina bifida representation.
*Please note: I have not read all these books. I encourage you to do your own research when selecting the book that is right for you. If you know of a book that you believe should be included in this list, please share it with me at contact.undergroundbookshelf@gmail.com.
Spina Bifida Awareness Month Resources
Spina Bifida Resources
Regional Associations
Image Description: Books lined up on a wooden shelf. They are stacked tightly so that no more books can be added.
Credit: Franz Schekolin / Unsplash via Webador
Books with Spina Bifida Representation
Memoir
- Golem Girl by Riva Lehrer
- Dis-Ability to This-Ability: Rising Above Life While Living with Spina Bifida by Meetra Nahavandi
- The Life of a Spina Bifida Warrior by Amanda Fatula
- But, Did I Tell You?: Memoir of Living with Spina Bifida by Patricia Gordon
- Without Mom, With Spina Bifida by James Boucher
- Determined to Win by Jean Driscoll
- Waiting for Eli by Chad Judice
- Feet on the Ground by Paul Northridge
- Gridlock On a Neural Highway: An ordinary Family's Extraordinary Story of Living with Spina Bifida by David L. Verinder
Children's Books
- The Abilities in Me: Spina Bifida by Gemma Keir
- I Have Spina Bifida and It's Okay by Dr. William M. Bauer
- Wyatt's Wheels by Chelsey Davis Hamilton
- My Strength by Mitzi Williams
- Another Way to Go by Marlene Lutkenhoff
- My Life as a Nine Year Old Girl with a Disability by Riley Cline
- Adam's Way by April Radder
- What Can You Do? by Kevin Arnold Haring
- Featherless/Desplumado by Juan Felipe Herrera (English and Spanish edition)
- Marco and I Want to Play Ball by Jo Meserve Mach, Vera Lynne Stroup-Rentier, and Mary Birdsell
- Maddie Wilson: Going Really Fast! by Todd Civin
Anthologies
- Born Twice: Voices of Spina Bifida by T. M. Berg
- Writings on the Wall: Inspirational Poems & Quotes by Robert Hensel
Young Adult
- Spinabilities: A Young Person's Guide to Spina Bifida by Marlene Lutkenhoff
Graphic Novels
- WCMX Daredevil by Jake Maddox
Sources
- https://www.rivalehrerart.com/book
- https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/blog/book-club/
- https://www.npr.org/2020/10/10/922589514/riva-lehrers-on-her-new-memoir-golem-girl
- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/24/arts/disability-movies-books-tv.html
- https://www.amazon.com/Dis-ability-This-ability-Rising-Living-Bifida/dp/B0BWX535VB/ref=sr_1_4?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-4
- https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Spina-Bifida-Mitzi-Williams/dp/B0CF4453LX/ref=sr_1_7?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-7
- https://www.amazon.com/Another-Way-Go-Marlene-Lutkenhoff/dp/0977273121/ref=sr_1_9?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-9
- https://www.amazon.com/Born-Twice-Voices-Spina-Bifida/dp/1974480283/ref=sr_1_11?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-11
- https://www.amazon.com/Life-Spina-Bifida-Warrior/dp/1700098470/ref=sr_1_12?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-12
- https://www.amazon.com/But-Did-Tell-You-Memoir/dp/B0CM1DZBNZ/ref=sr_1_13?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-13
- https://www.amazon.com/Without-Spina-Bifida-James-Boucher/dp/1537191446/ref=sr_1_14?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-14
- https://www.amazon.com/Life-Nine-Year-Girl-Disability/dp/1686684940/ref=sr_1_15?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPjVboGZWZ9HHCFqjOofj7X3_gBNRJbH_Q4llWGFBCbAXlv_ieHLByPaUcyYzJ8HEelQni83j1NBBRSANoCI-qnVy8bvDa4rSjW3bods_mTPKnc_aBMD9Fs6mniCUsnp5DBoISSP18Jy_Fvsi-WqgZf7O_Lgo5xnB4JWeHZS2KWhSX4zXHBqx60J_oIenuhiPtJkRSyeSRr8E6_FvaRJDjNo.yUfBdaiSwDGlGPHAydz6SW0Hi8vUynAvXPqn-EbaTWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490039&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-15
- https://www.amazon.com/Spinabilities-Young-Persons-Guide-Bifida/dp/0933149867/ref=sr_1_20?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QgNj8W1dKiCQC3sVkXnmwLfr7mT1UQ9hYzsv29zB6DPGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.Vben7ISo1vbWcUwwW71mK2-IwuDfpq0Jn8LYRf26aDI&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490203&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-20
- https://www.amazon.com/Adams-Way-April-Radder/dp/1946512397/ref=sr_1_26?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oYpAcGEhLNdRXNGrVv2B-piJI5omBWWpgFDIg_Cn3HFXARzKmK-qNPEDHT2t5NJfRrZT4zFCcW3Gei9aQLjCN65yalmGmhlebxrpD6DyW4PdQD_x_ZKxb18UAeFRkioO0LsnQg2MT4o-yXKNsVLhzXRsR8mWseMdhiAklpwm-IqgUeMVh44_6VSUB8_z5pSY.kudGe-i4vxcYlhYMiS_564H-2tZEe609HqquehSual4&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490203&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-26
- https://www.amazon.com/What-Can-You-Do-Inspiring/dp/1452882185/ref=sr_1_28?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oYpAcGEhLNdRXNGrVv2B-piJI5omBWWpgFDIg_Cn3HFXARzKmK-qNPEDHT2t5NJfRrZT4zFCcW3Gei9aQLjCN65yalmGmhlebxrpD6DyW4PdQD_x_ZKxb18UAeFRkioO0LsnQg2MT4o-yXKNsVLhzXRsR8mWseMdhiAklpwm-IqgUeMVh44_6VSUB8_z5pSY.kudGe-i4vxcYlhYMiS_564H-2tZEe609HqquehSual4&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490203&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-28
- https://www.amazon.com/Featherless-Desplumado-Juan-Felipe-Herrera/dp/0892393033/ref=sr_1_29?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oYpAcGEhLNdRXNGrVv2B-piJI5omBWWpgFDIg_Cn3HFXARzKmK-qNPEDHT2t5NJfRrZT4zFCcW3Gei9aQLjCN65yalmGmhlebxrpD6DyW4PdQD_x_ZKxb18UAeFRkioO0LsnQg2MT4o-yXKNsVLhzXRsR8mWseMdhiAklpwm-IqgUeMVh44_6VSUB8_z5pSY.kudGe-i4vxcYlhYMiS_564H-2tZEe609HqquehSual4&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490203&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-29
- https://www.amazon.com/Marco-Want-Play-Ball-self-Determination/dp/1944764356/ref=sr_1_22?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oYpAcGEhLNdRXNGrVv2B-piJI5omBWWpgFDIg_Cn3HFXARzKmK-qNPEDHT2t5NJfRrZT4zFCcW3Gei9aQLjCN65yalmGmhlebxrpD6DyW4PdQD_x_ZKxb18UAeFRkioO0LsnQg2MT4o-yXKNsVLhzXRsR8mWseMdhiAklpwm-IqgUeMVh44_6VSUB8_z5pSY.kudGe-i4vxcYlhYMiS_564H-2tZEe609HqquehSual4&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490203&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-22
- https://www.amazon.com/WCMX-Daredevil-Maddox-Graphic-Novels/dp/1666328642/ref=sr_1_35?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VobyjwuvyEIPqnA1BwUSU8eWwPVNhRShf8-7wjBvkIPGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.KavddNtv2VgWkXOl_TRfkBi8GgwVDeQGC2cWwTErqi0&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490324&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-35
- https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Eli-Fathers-Journey-Faith/dp/0925417653/ref=sr_1_36?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tHOiTuhVx3pjnLlkZA2o39A-mYQYho85rzRRvnTY6ovKqa1XMuGjpXY8VEh3MTm2dVXn6HgfjNOIVjrqJsbFoHxvNLh5eFVEDeCVL0LVnzDmPH04ScLdEweM2h0Hva-p1pNf-1mEMtf0hqAAM9xwpsaumgb4htsRrNufu4vBSTyCiCnBFbDONNWobXl7ESpc.f5A0CTyIAICOXsYKbGxQkZa6crhm3-fTCOCeqfNHn1k&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490324&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-36
- https://www.amazon.com/Feet-Ground-autobiography-experienced-experience-ebook/dp/B0BWVHV7LR/ref=sr_1_42?crid=15BADRJ0594YC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tHOiTuhVx3pjnLlkZA2o39A-mYQYho85rzRRvnTY6ovKqa1XMuGjpXY8VEh3MTm2dVXn6HgfjNOIVjrqJsbFoHxvNLh5eFVEDeCVL0LVnzDmPH04ScLdEweM2h0Hva-p1pNf-1mEMtf0hqAAM9xwpsaumgb4htsRrNufu4vBSTyCiCnBFbDONNWobXl7ESpc.f5A0CTyIAICOXsYKbGxQkZa6crhm3-fTCOCeqfNHn1k&dib_tag=se&keywords=spina+bifida+books&qid=1728490324&s=books&sprefix=spina+bifida+books%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-42
- https://www.amazon.com/Maddie-Wilson-Going-Really-Fast/dp/B086PPLYN5/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3NHMMM3U6HGJ2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPqXTUELW9tvCs1tquzWfLRJ6L5TCI9aM3qDxVRFruHmLFtsBbzXCjiJwT3s898bu-euRVo_arCht5_ivDxss_TE.XOrCvPdk0DottTSKrYo4Ikw1T63FsgRR2yw-EMFOhxk&dib_tag=se&keywords=maddie+spina+bifida&qid=1728490626&s=books&sprefix=maddie+spina+bifida%2Cstripbooks%2C128&sr=1-4
- https://www.amazon.com/Gridlock-Neural-Highway-ordinary-extraordinary/dp/1717959539/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3NHMMM3U6HGJ2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RGF-coUGRu6TmUEp5_7HPqXTUELW9tvCs1tquzWfLRJ6L5TCI9aM3qDxVRFruHmLFtsBbzXCjiJwT3s898bu-euRVo_arCht5_ivDxss_TE.XOrCvPdk0DottTSKrYo4Ikw1T63FsgRR2yw-EMFOhxk&dib_tag=se&keywords=maddie+spina+bifida&qid=1728490626&s=books&sprefix=maddie+spina+bifida%2Cstripbooks%2C128&sr=1-6
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