By: Debbie Joyner
Hi, everyone.
My name is Debbie Joyner and this is my story about a birth defect I was born with.
I was born September 19, 1963, at the Naval Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. My dad was in the Navy in Charleston. My parents did not know it would be a long journey for me. I was born with a birth defect that they did not know I had until I was born.
The birth defect I had is called frontal encephalocele. It is a rare type of birth defect of the neural tube that affects the brain. It is sometimes known as cranium bifidum, a neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development. Encephaloceles cause a groove down the middle of the skull, between the forehead and nose or on the backside of the skull. Mine also covered both of my eyes as well. The severity of encephalocele varies, depending on its location. CDC estimates that approximately 1 in 12,200 babies born in the United States each year will have encephalocele. This means that about 340 U.S. babies are born with this condition each year.
Within hours after my mom gave birth I was rushed into surgery to try and close off the encephalocele and to begin the process of building the rest of my nose. When my dad got out of the Navy he enlisted in the Army because I could get the medical care I needed that the Navy could not provide. Throughout my childhood I had 13 constructive surgeries. The first few were done at the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston. And the rest were done at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. I was 16 years old when I had my last constructive surgery.
Growing up for me was very hard. In and out of hospitals was basically my life. I had hardly any friends. Kids at school called me all kinds of names. “Pig face” is one that has stuck with me for a very long time. I had low self-esteem, and I stayed to myself most of the time. And to be honest I asked why me. But, I knew that God had a purpose for me. And that was to share my story so that if someone sees it, to let them know they are not alone.
But all that changed in 1979 when I met my husband in Charleston. He was what I needed. We dated for four years and were married in 1984. He told me he didn’t care what I looked like on the outside, but it was what was on the inside that made him love me.
In 1985 I found out I was pregnant, and my husband and I were concerned there might be something wrong with our first child. The doctor told me not to worry and that everything would be okay. They kept a close eye out for anything that looked like a birth defect. I gave birth to a healthy boy in November. I then had another boy in September of 1990. They are both married, and I have two granddaughters.
If you are reading this, my advice is NOT to give up. In the ’60s the medical field didn’t have the resources or medical equipment we have today.
I am so glad that my parents held on and helped me get to where I am. They both have taught me to be strong in any situation I am in. And I love both of them for that reason.
God has a purpose in EVERYONE’S life. For whatever reason he made you just the way you are. For me, it’s to help others who are going through the same thing I did. I pray that this helps each and every one who reads this. May God bless you!
Debbie Joyner is a Charleston, SC native of 27 years. She enjoys meeting new people, crafting and bowling. She is married, has two married sons and two adorable granddaughters. Debbie has worked for Pampered Chef for over seven years and is a consultant working toward director. She is passionate about what she does, loves entertaining and enjoys showing people how they can entertain simply and on a budget. For more information or to have Debbie host your next entertaining party or event contact Debbie at: www.pamperedchef.biz/debbiejoyner or email: tigermomjoyner47@gmail.com