“Someone said, ‘Answer the question that’s asked.’ Meaning, don’t worry about what’s going to happen when she’s 14. Spina bifida is a birth defect which can affect a child’s ability to walk and to control its bladder and bowel functions, and also affect the brain. What about when she starts dating? MUST READ: Aww, How Sweet! Nicole Ari Parker smile and no-nonsense spirit warmed our hearts in the series adaptation of the hit movie “Soul Food.” The series was a hit as well. The condition often causes one to be paralyzed and could be the source of mental handicap. And when we found out that her on-screen co-star, Boris Kodjoe, were in a real relationship off screen, it seemed as though nothing was stopping Nicole. He went on to share with the show’s host that it was Sophie’s strength that helped the family pull through. So that was the beginning of my healing process was each day at a time.”. She can’t do sleepovers. This is our norm. So that was the beginning of my healing process was each day at a time.”. “Her spirit, her attitude was always, she was this little baby who was always smiling and she looked at us like, ‘Why are you crying?’”, It is this spirit of hope that the Kodjoes operate in when parenting their daughter today. Sophie’s Voice Foundation was founded in 2008 by actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker in honor of their daughter Sophie who was diagnosed with Spina Bifida at birth. Actors Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker know first-hand about spina bifida and how it affects a child and family dynamics because their daughter, Sophie, was born with spina bifida. 1.) By dedicating themselves to a healthy lifestyle they found ways to address not only their daughters mental, physical and medical needs but also the needs of their entire family. In an new interview with Exhale, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker opened up about their daughter’s spina bifida diagnosis, a birth defect that affects the development of the spinal cord. Kodjoe, why are you always here?’ and I say, ‘To help Sophie go to the bathroom.’That’s the answer to the question. Boris Kodjoe Salutes His Wife In Most Romantic Way Ever, Pass The Popcorn: Mike Epps Joins BET’s ‘Being Mary Jane’ + Boris Kodjoe Lands Role On ABC’s ‘The Club’. How do we explain to the teachers that we have to show up every 3 hours and interrupt her and get her attention and say ‘Let’s go to the bathroom?’ What about her friends? “Sophie was actually instrumental in teaching us how to do that. Spina bifida occurs in three forms, each varying in severity. Your email will be shared with elev8.hellobeautiful.com and subject to its, Vivica A. ! Follow her on Instagram @more_about_me. 8 Signs Of Physical, Mental & Emotional Illnesses Caused By Work, Tamar Braxton Shares Proof Of Her Vitiligo + 10 Other Celebs With Chronic Illnesses. Spina bifida occulta As our children got older and grew more and more interested in some of our initiatives and projects, we decided to expand the work of the Foundation to accommodate some of Sophie and Nicolas’ social and cultural activism interests. When she's not keeping up with the news or learning Beyonce's latest dance moves, she enjoys watching stand-up comedy on YouTube! It took us quite a while to find our bearings and get used to this new norm that we were facing.”. We were helpless, we were lost. KEYSHIA COLE HITS THE STUDIO WITH HER SON, DANIEL GIBSON JR. DRAKE AND SOPHIE BRUSSAUX CELEBRATE SON’S 3RD BIRTHDAY, ‘RHOP’ MONIQUE SAMUELS TO CAST MEMBERS: ‘I’M A ROLE MODEL TO MY DAUGHTER’, BLUE IVY’S MAKE-UP SKILLS WILL BLOW YOU AWAY, BEHIND THE SCENES WITH BRIAN WHITE AND SWEET LAYLA, website design company in brooklyn - Adhunik Studio. It doesn’t take much to change one life. What about when she starts dating? And you know what happens? Black men and women are at the highest risk of having a stroke than any other racial group in the United States. You can "cash" her "ousside" enjoying nature and classical literature. “Sophie was actually instrumental in teaching us,” said Nicole Ari Parker of her daughter as a newborn. Fortunately, she’s learned to overcome her anxiety by taking everything one day at a time. She can’t do sleepovers. 483 Julieta Court St. Augustine, FL 32086. How are we going to get to school? Check out a clip of their interview below. In December 2011, SVF established The Center for Spina Bifida Research, Prevention and Policy (CSB) at Emory University in Atlanta. And when we found out that her on-screen co-star, Boris Kodjoe, were in a real relationship off screen, it seemed as though nothing was stopping Nicole. Inside Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe's Flirty Relationship Captured by Their Daughter Sophie July 03, 2020 | by Pedro Marrero For the last 15 years, their love and their two children have been the center of this couple’s world, and now their daughter is old enough to document her parents’ sweet relationship. We were helpless, we were lost. Connecting people to information about preventing and managing Spina Bifida through fundraising and awareness. Because the spinal nerves usually aren’t involved, most children with this form of spina bifida have no signs or symptoms and experience no neurological problems. “We went from being the hot Hollywood couple with a perfect-to-be baby to completely devastated, shocked,” said Boris . So that was the beginning of my healing process was each day at a time.”. And you know what happens? LIKE BlackDoctor.org. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. We were helpless, we were lost. And you know what happens? 10 Ways Red Wine Makes You Healthier, 9 Foods You Should Never Eat After Age 30, 4 Incredible Benefits Of Marijuana For The Skin, More Black Women are Dying of Heart Disease: Star Jones and Darlene Love Plan to Change That, Taraji P. Henson Gets Engaged: “He Loves Me for Me”, BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy, 9 Foods You Should Never Eat after Age 30, 5 Daily Tasks You Can Do To Improve Brain Function, STUDY: Cinnamon May Slow Progression Of Parkinson’s Disease, 4 Times Your Headache Is Something More Serious, T-Boz turns 50: “Doctors Said I Wouldn’t Live Past My 30’s & Never Have Kids”. Check Out: Nicole Ari Parker Wants To Help Your Hair. Nicole and Boris have committed their resources and celebrity to educating multicultural communities worldwide on the importance of families working together to build healthy lifestyles one day at a time. As of June 2019 we have changed the name to the Kodjoe Family Foundation. Family Foundation role in our health our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our.... Sophie was actually instrumental in teaching us how to do that the news or learning Beyonce 's latest dance,. On to share with the show ’ s strength that helped the family pull.. 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