On a lighter note, I'm probably the only person you'll know who can tell you where every public bathroom is located in the State of Pennsylvania. Well, I could probably benefit from wearing ankle braces because my ankles are not very strong and my left foot turns in when I walk. However, I have been unable to find braces that are cosmetically appealing to me and that I would be able to wear with a decent-looking shoe. Spina bifida is not life-shortening. Most people with this disability live a normal life span, can give birth to children, and lead pretty active lives as long as they take care of themselves and not let the medical problems that they are born with deteriorate or cause additional problems.
Many people born with spina bifida are wheelchair users because of more limited mobility.
I am one of the more fortunate ones who has been walking since the normal age that most kids learn to walk. Only difference is that I learned to walk with little crutches. I did wear leg braces during the early part of my life to assist me with learning how to walk and to help straighten and strengthen my legs and muscles. I did, however, learn to drive with hand controls, which can be purchased and installed on any kind of car with power steering. Though I didn't really date before I turned 18, once I DID begin dating, I seldom had a difficult time finding something to do on a Friday or Saturday night.