My Why Wednesday: Betsy Hopson

We will be featuring a new blog series for the month of November, “My Why Wednesday,” to highlight our staff, patients, and partners and why they support and love Children’s of Alabama.

My name is Betsy Hopson and I am the Program Coordinator of the Spina Bifida Program at Children’s Hospital of Alabama (COA). I also currently serve as the President of the Spina Bifida Association of Alabama (SBA of AL). I consider my position in these roles as more of a calling than a “job.” I can truly say that I wake up each day excited to be a part of the lives of some of the most incredible, courageous and inspiring individuals. I began my career at COA approximately 12 years ago. Looking back, I can see how each door that opened or closed in my life was preparing me for this journey. My goal each day is to find one person’s life I can positively impact. I find myself praying over my day, conversations, and hands, that they will do immeasurably more than I could do on my own and that I will make a difference in at least one life each day! But the truth is, it’s them who continually make a difference in my life. My patients, their families, their stories, and their journeys have shaped me in a way that I often find difficult to articulate. Watching the perseverance, grace, and dignity they have as they conquer life has impacted the person I am and made me forever better. I approach life more fully now, work to embrace each challenge, and become energized to do more research and attempt to answer the tough questions that still exist and affect their world. Throughout the year, we host many activities including camps, bowl-a-thons, walk -n-roll, fishing tournaments, golf events, and parent connection outings. These activities allow me to step outside the walls of the hospital and immerse myself into the true lives of my patients. I get to see them play, connect, and conquer fears. These events help me develop a bond with them that I could never do within the walls of the hospital. Then, when they come back to see me at the hospital it’s a reunion with old friends instead of a scary place of uncertainty. You should care about Spina Bifida because getting involved will be a most rewarding decision that will richly bless your life!

We are recognizing Betsy and the amazing work that she does in honor of World Spina Bifida Day on October 25th. Children’s of Alabama represents the only multi-disciplinary Spina Bifida clinic in the state. The clinic serves 565 pediatric patients currently.