WSBHD Goes to Laguna: A Lifetime of Experiences, From Preconception to Ageing

Some mornings change a family's story. For many parents who have just heard the words "spina bifida" or "hydrocephalus" from a doctor, that morning is the first time they sit in a room full of families who understand. On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Spina Bifida Support Group (SBSG) is creating that morning in Calamba, Laguna.

WSBHD Goes to Laguna is SBSG's celebration of World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day 2026 (WSBHD26). It is a free-spirited, family-centered gathering for kids, youth, adults, parents, and caregivers from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon. This year's theme is powerful and simple: "A Lifetime of Experiences: From Preconception to Ageing."

Event Details at a Glance

• What: WSBHD Goes to Laguna – World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day 2026

• When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN

• Where: McDonald's Halang, Calamba, Laguna

• Who: Children, youth, and adults with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, with their parents and caregivers

• Covered provinces: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon only

• Organizer: Spina Bifida Support Group – www.spinabifidaph.com

What Is World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day?

World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day is observed every year by communities around the globe. It is a day to raise awareness, speak up for better care and inclusion, and celebrate people living with these conditions. In the Philippines, SBSG brings that global movement closer to home by gathering families in their own regions, so no one has to travel far to feel supported.

Spina bifida is a condition present at birth. It happens when the spine and spinal cord do not close completely during the first weeks of pregnancy. It can affect walking, bladder and bowel function, and sensation in the legs. Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid in the brain, and many people with spina bifida also live with it, often managed with a shunt. Neither condition defines a person. With early treatment, therapy, and a caring community, people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus study, work, play, marry, and dream big.

Why the 2026 Theme Matters: From Preconception to Ageing

Too often, spina bifida is talked about only as a childhood condition. The 2026 theme corrects that. It reminds everyone that this is a lifelong journey, and that every stage deserves attention, care, and celebration.

• Before pregnancy: Prevention begins before a baby is conceived. Taking folic acid and caring for maternal health can help lower the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Every woman of childbearing age should know this.

• Birth and early childhood: Early surgery, shunt monitoring, and therapy shape a child's future. Parents need clear information and emotional support from day one.

• School years and youth: Inclusive classrooms, accessible buildings, and real friendships help young people grow in confidence.

• Adulthood: Jobs, independence, relationships, and continuing medical care become the focus.

• Ageing: People with spina bifida are living longer than ever. Health systems and families must be ready to support them as they grow older.

At WSBHD Goes to Laguna, families at every one of these stages will be in the same place, learning from each other. A new mother can talk with a parent whose child is now in college. A teenager can meet an adult who is working and living independently. That is what a lifetime of experiences looks like.

Experience. Connect. Celebrate.

The whole morning is built around three words.

Experience

Families can look forward to a welcoming, accessible space with activities designed for all ages. Wheelchairs, walkers, braces, and crutches are all part of the crowd here. Kids get to simply be kids, surrounded by others who move through the world the way they do.

Connect

For many families, the most valuable thing they take home is a new friend. Parents swap practical tips on catheterization, therapy, school enrollment, and finding the right doctors in the region. Caregivers find people who understand the long days and quiet worries. Connections made over one morning often turn into years of support through group chats, visits, and future SBSG events.

Celebrate

Every milestone matters: a first step, a successful surgery, a recognition at school, a first paycheck, another healthy birthday. WSBHD is a day to cheer for all of them. Expect smiles, laughter, and the famous group photo that shows just how big and strong this community is.

Who Should Attend?

• Children, teens, and adults living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus

• Parents, grandparents, siblings, and caregivers

• Families with a new or recent diagnosis looking for guidance and hope

• Residents of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon (this gathering is for these four provinces only)

Families from other areas are encouraged to reach out to SBSG to ask about gatherings closer to them.

How to Join and What to Bring

• Save the date: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 9:00 AM.

• Contact SBSG through www.spinabifidaph.com or its official social media pages to confirm your attendance.

• Arrive a little early at McDonald's Halang, Calamba, Laguna to settle in comfortably.

• Bring your essentials: catheter supplies, medicines, water, snacks, a change of clothes, and any mobility aids.
  

Help Us Reach One More Family

Somewhere in CALABARZON or Quezon right now, a parent is searching online for answers after a diagnosis. They may not know that a support group exists just a few towns away. Sharing this article could be the reason they show up on October 17 and finally feel less alone.

Share this post, tag a family who needs to see it, and use these hashtags: #WSBHD2026 #WSBHD26 #LifetimeOfExperiences #WSBHDGoesToLaguna #SpinaBifidaAwareness #HydrocephalusAwareness #SpinaBifidaPH #SBSG