By Jessica Sanchez

My name is Jessica Sanchez. You may recognize me from the Courage to Shine article I wrote back in 2016. I am currently 33 years old and still reside in Washington State. Born with classic bladder exstrophy, I have strived to live a life where this birth defect does not define me, it’s just a part of my story.  If you were to ask anyone close to me who I am they would tell you I am a wife, mother, sister daughter, worship leader, administrator, friend, and a woman of faith. Life with bladder exstrophy hasn’t always been easy but in my case, I truly believe I’m one of the lucky ones.  The unknown my parents experienced the night I was born ended up resulting in a journey I wouldn’t change for the world. 

On March 30th, 1990, my parents, Alan and Sherrie Croshaw welcomed their 1st child into the world; a 7 pound, 10 ounces little girl.  Shortly after the delivery while the nurses were examining all my fingers and toes, my parents began noticing there was some confusion. After a considerable amount of time, the doctor walked into the room with a textbook and said, “I think this is what your daughter has.” After informing my parents that I needed to be flown to a larger hospital they were given the choice of Spokane or Seattle.  The start of my luck with bladder exstrophy began the moment they chose Seattle.  I will forever be grateful for that decision because it meant that I was going to Seattle Children’s Hospital and was now a patient of Dr. Michael Mitchell, a world-renowned pediatric urologist.

Growing up with bladder exstrophy had some moments that were easier than others.  I had 3 major surgeries and 5 minor ones between the ages 0-12.  Although the stress of surgery was hard and managing tubes sticking out of me for weeks after wasn’t easy, my parents never amplified these experiences in a negative light.  I’m sure having a heighten awareness of every bathroom wherever we went and needing to make frequent bathroom stops was tedious, but I was never shamed or made to feel like it was an inconvenience.  I know my experience isn’t always a shared one and I’m so very thankful for my parents.  They taught me a positive, growth mindset which instilled in me the belief that I could anything I put my mind to and to not let my birth defect define me. They instilled this belief into my brothers as well and all three of us were treated equitably.  I had to use the bathroom consistently where my brothers had bladders of steal. I had to go to more doctor appointments but that allowed my brothers the chance to travel more and spend more time with extended family.