Give Anita Kaiser one reason why she couldn’t be a mom, and she’ll give you one reason why she can: Olivia.

In the weeks following a 1996 car crash that left her a quadriplegic, Canadian Spinal Research Organization (CSRO) board member and Chair of the Research Committee, Anita Kaiser picked up a pen and scrawled the phrase “Malcolm and Mariah say hi.”  They were the names of the children that she hoped to one day have. Even then, facing the most challenging time in her life, she knew she would one day be a mother.

While Anita and I talked during a trip to the CSRO lab at McMaster University last fall, she mentioned that she had been battling morning sickness for the past few months and she hoped the ride to McMaster would be fairly smooth.  I had to admit, I was confused, was a quadriplegic woman even able to conceive? She explained that it was in fact possible for a spinal cord injured woman to become pregnant. “Adults with disabilities can be as capable and successful as able-bodied parents,” she said, “as long as there are devices, resources and services for support.”

Anita began to talk about her master’s thesis in rehabilitation science, which examined the needs of parents with spinal cord injuries.  You got an immediate sense how passionate she was about her work, because after all, she was living it. 

Fast forward to June 2008, the CSRO office was thrilled to receive an email with a picture of Anita and beautiful baby girl, Olivia (on the cover of this issue).  By now, Olivia was already four months old, and I was interested to speak with Anita about her experience as a new parent.

Anita endured a difficult three days of labour, as her blood pressure continued to rise in response to the onset of labour. However, she was rewarded with a natural delivery, “the doctor actually caught Olivia like a football!” Anita says with a chuckle. 

Anita has been able to utilize the information gathered in her thesis to help her care for Olivia.  She has mastered feeding and even changing her daughter and independently cares for her four hours a day.  Anita was amazed at the strategies parents came up with to modify cribs, playpens and change tables. Still, her research left her disappointed in the lack of devices and products that can be used by both able-bodied and disabled parents. 

Though her story is a happy one, she discovered through her own experience, as well as her research, that disabled women who are pregnant need increased attendant care by the third trimester.  The problem arises when there are only a certain amount of hours available for attendant care, and extra help is necessary. Anita was lucky to receive the additional attendant care hours, because her husband was active in lobbying for her rights.  She realizes that most women in her situation might not be as fortunate.

Next fall, Anita will begin her PhD studies surrounding health services and the needs of disabled women who are considering becoming mothers to a year post-pregnancy. She points out that there is no continuum of care for these women.  She would also like to find ways to collaborate with manufacturers to develop adaptive devises.

The CSRO is dedicated to the improvement of the physical quality of life for persons with a spinal cord injury and those with related neurological deficits, through targeted medical and scientific research.  Anita’s dedication to her research embodies the mission of the CSRO, and will surely enhance the lives of women with disabilities.  She has used her own life experiences as a model to help others.

So what advice can Anita offer to new parents with disabilities?  “I’ve learned to not try to accomplish everything at once, but to add things one at a time, and you will learn as your child does, since they grow and change everyday. It is vital to try to be as independent as possible, so you can feel comfortable being left alone with the baby.  Having a good support system in place is important, as you realize that you will have to depend on your partner and those around you more, especially towards the end of the pregnancy.”

With excerpts from the Toronto Star