Ottawa native Katrina Beddoe values her faith, friendships and family life. Born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, Katrina, 36, lives with her parents and has an older sister. Her favourite past times are sewing and watching television. She likes the British house-hunting reality television show, “Escape to the Country,” which she admits she watches too much of, plus stays informed through watching the daily news.
Katrina had academic challenges and found attending a Catholic elementary school particularly difficult for her. She did not have a lot of friends and was teased a lot. However, once she reached secondary school, life improved and Katrina made more friends at the larger school. She is grateful that one of those friendships continues to be particularly close today.
Katrina pursued a college degree, studying Early Childhood Education. She faced challenges keeping up with her studies and had a reduced course load. She continued building friendships through a university student movement called “Catholic Christian Outreach” which promotes faith-based teaching on university campuses. She attended many university events and built more long-lasting friendships through this organization.
Now that Katrina is well into adulthood, she has experienced more health concerns related to hydrocephalus. She has had several shunt revisions over a few months. “Sometimes, she says, “coordinating my medical care could be a full-time job.”
Recently, Katrina joined the Ottawa-based Tasters Club, a social group for adults living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus who meet at restaurants monthly for conversation and good food. Involvement in Tasters Club has enabled her to relate to others with similar experiences, build important connections and taught her more about herself.
Katrina offers the following advice for those living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus: “Remember that you know your body best. Don’t be afraid to give it what it needs. Ask for help when you need it but remember to do things for yourself as well.”
She adds, “I can’t climb trees or jump up and down but I don’t need help with everything I do.”
