Nora's Story

Q.What condition was your child born with?

Congenital CMV

Q: What were/are some of the biggest challenges that came with the diagnosis?

Nora’s cCMV caused significant damage to her brain. As a result, she has cerebral palsy, microcephaly, PMG, is deaf in her right ear, GDD, and is high risk for seizures.

Q: How has the diagnosis impacted your day-to-day life?  

We spend a lot of our time at doctors appointments, in physical/occupational/speech therapy, and trying to keep up with all of her medical needs. She is currently unable to sit, stand, or walk unassisted and struggles with low core tone. This makes it hard for her to interact and play with toys because her ability to lift her head and reach for things is significantly impacted.

 Q: What do you wish other people would know about your child’s medical?

Congenital CMV is the #1 cause of non-genetic related birth defects and disabilities in children, and it’s not commonly known. It’s caused by a virus similar to the common cold and is very easy to catch if you have younger children at home or work with children. It’s not typically tested for in pregnant women, and the affects can be devastating. I want to bring awareness to this because most people have no idea the risks this virus poses to unborn babies and how avoidable it can be with the proper education and information.