Wednesday, October 17, 2012

What exactly is Doodle's disease in the story, "Scarlet Ibis?"

From the description of Doodle as being "all head," he might have been born with a birth defect called hydrocephaly. Normally, spinal fluid is produced inside the brain to cushion and protect it. Babies born with hydrocephaly produce too much spinal fluid, which causes their heads to grow too large. Often growth of the head can be controlled with a permanent shunt that drains the excess spinal fluid into the stomach. However, the child will most likely have learning disorders. If the child doesn't receive the shunt, then the head will continue to grow, and the excess spinal fluid will put too much pressure on the brain. Life expectancy would not be long.

I know a young man who was born with this condition. Sadly, his birth mother abandoned him when she saw what he looked like, but he was adopted by wonderful parents who made sure he got the shunt surgeries he needed. He is legally blind, and he has a low IQ, but he is able to take care of himself. He went to auto/diesel school and has a career as a mechanic.

Visit the links below for more information on this birth defect.

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