Rosanne is a passionate advocate and dedicated leader for all those whose lives are touched by Spina Bifida. She has devoted her life to educating herself and others, supporting individuals with Spina Bifida, and improving the resources available to them.
Her journey with Spina Bifida Texas began long before she ever held a formal position, it started 21 years ago when her son, Michael, was born with Spina Bifida in El Paso, TX. That experience solidified her commitment to making this cause her life’s focus. At the time of Michael’s birth, specialized medical resources in El Paso were limited, so when he was just a year old, she made the life-changing decision to move to San Antonio, ensuring he had access to the care and support needed to give him the best chance at a full and independent life.
As a parent navigating the complexities of the medical system, therapies, surgeries, and the everyday challenges of raising a child with a birth defect, Rosanne gained firsthand knowledge of the uncertainties, victories, heartbreaks, and moments of resilience that families face. Alongside Michael, she experienced the setbacks, the milestones, and the adversity. This journey gave her a deep understanding of the challenges others endure and instilled in her an unwavering drive to expand resources, services, and programs for those in need.
While volunteering with Spina Bifida Texas, Rosanne found her true purpose. Fueled by passion, she pursued and completed her master’s degree in health and kinesiology with a focus on program planning. What began as a volunteer role evolved into a career dedicated to building and expanding programs that truly serve the community. Over time, her responsibilities grew, and after six years of dedicated work, Rosanne became the Executive Director of Spina Bifida Texas.
Then, COVID hit. While many organizations were forced to scale back, Spina Bifida Texas pushed forward. Programs expanded, more families were reached, and no one in the community was forgotten. Today, the organization is stronger than ever, and Rosanne is honored to lead an initiative that provides families with the resources, connections, and support they need.
Beyond supporting individuals with Spina Bifida, Rosanne is a passionate advocate for prevention. While Spina Bifida has multiple causes, folic acid consumption is one variable within everyone’s control. She believes awareness and education can change lives and refuses to wait for the world to change, she is committed to changing it for the Spina Bifida community.
Now a wife and mother of three, Rosanne celebrates the life her son has built. Michael lives independently, works, and shows the world the kindness, resilience, and compassion that define him. For Rosanne, this work is not just professional, it’s personal. She knows what parents are going through because she has been there. She understands the challenges children face because she has walked that road with her son. And every day, she wakes up driven to ensure that no family faces this journey alone.