Spina bifida is a neural birth defect that can cause leg, bladder and bowel damage in infants and children. Addicted star Boris Kodjoe explained how the disorder affects his daughter in an interview with Hello Beautiful. “Our daughter Sophie was diagnosed with spina bifida and thank God she has leg function.
Boris Kodjoe and Ari Nicole Parker are proud parents of two wonderful children. Here’s a look at their lives and journey to parenthood. Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker crossed paths when they both starred in “Soul Food,” a reboot of the classic 1997 film.
Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe ( /ˈkoʊdʒuː/; born March 8, 1973), better known as Boris Kodjoe, is an Austrian -born actor of German and Ghanaian descent known for his roles as Kelby in the 2002 film Brown Sugar, the sports-courier agent Damon Carter on the Showtime drama series Soul Food,
Kodjoe married his Soul Food: The Series co-star Nicole Ari Parker on May 21, 2005, in Gundelfingen, Germany. She gave birth to their first child, a girl, Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee Kodjoe, on March 5, 2005.
What did Nicole and Boris do for Sophie?
From combining Western and Eastern medicine to laser acupuncture and catheterizing Sophie themselves, Nicole and Boris ensured they gave their best to help their daughter learn to live life on her own without being limited.
Although the journey ahead seemed to be difficult, Boris and Nicole soon learned that Sophie was a bundle of sunshine, which did not want to be limited by her defect and soon took charge of helping them take care of herself.
After a series of tests, it was concluded that Sophie had Spina Bifida. For Nicole breaking the news to Boris was difficult, and him getting the news was devastating.
Sophie had been born with a congenital disability called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a type of neural tube defect that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth.
Now, the worst of days are behind them, and although certain infections might affect Sophie, the now 15-year-old has been able to own her situation and help raise awareness with her parents through the Sophie’s Voice Foundation.
Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker had to help their daughter Sophie battle against Spina Bifida, and here is a look into their journey.
Following the birth of Sophie, Nicole and Bor is welcomed a second child, a son named Nicolas Neruda. Trying to juggle the new birth and taking care of Sophie proved quite much, and Nicole acknowledged she suffered from postpartum depression.
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What did Nicole and Boris try to help Sophie with?
Also, Nicole and Boris tried alternative therapies for their little girl. They tried acupressure massage, laser acupuncture, and probiotic supplements to encourage Sophie a healthy digestive tract. Sophie Tei is the eldest daughter of Nicole with her spouse Boris. Image Source: Facebook/ Boris Kodjoe.
Their marriage ceremony took place at Boris’ grandma’s home in Gundelfingen, Germany.
Nicole Ari Parker’s daughter with Boris Kodjoe, Sophie, was born with a severe form of Spina Bifida, a congenital disorder when the spine and the spinal cord don’t form properly .
Thus, Sophie’s parents decided to expand the work of SVF to accommodate some of their children’s social and cultural activism interests.
After her birth in 2005, doctors told her parents that she would need surgery to detach her spinal cord from a mass called Lipoma. After the surgery, Sophie became able to live a relatively healthy life. However, there were still a few complications from the Spina Bifida.
Here, indulge in some facts of Nicole Ali Parker’s daughter, Sophie Tei Naaki Lee Kodjoe, and get to know her better.
Sophie’s parents are real heroes. In honor of their little princess Sophie, who was a patient of Spina Bifida at birth, Nicole and Boris founded a non-profit organization named Sophie’s Voice Foundation. The mission of SVF is to raise the quality of life of children and adults diagnosed with Spina bifida and raise awareness of its prevention.
