Abigail's Story - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)

My name is Abigail. I was born with a diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Doctors said I wasn't going to make it. Mom didn't have a baby shower for me until after I was born, just in case. But we had people praying and I started breathing by myself.

My mom or dad couldn't hold me until I was 3 weeks old. After I survived my surgery for CDH repair, I had to have a fundoplication surgery because I couldn't hold anything down, not even stomach acid. I was on a feeding tube 24 hours per day for almost a year and I came home from the hospital with an apnea monitor. I started walking later than most children.

During my elementary years, I went to physical and occupational therapy. I have developmental delays and my academic level is about 4th grade level. I am 18.

As an adult, I have mild scoliosis (I was told this is due to the surgery to repair the hernia), lazy eye, anxiety and developmental delay. I'm small (5'2" and 98 pounds). I have received disability benefits since birth but since I became an adult last month, Social Security is re-evaluating me under adult guidelines. So, we will see.

I love children. I have worked some as a substitute teacher's aid in the 2 year old class at a daycare. Thank you for asking about me!