BORIS AND NICOLE GET CANDID ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTER’S SPINA BIFIDA
According to recent statistics, spina bifida affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in the U.S. Back in March 2005, Sophie Kodjoe,4, the daughter of actors Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, was one of the newborns affected by the disabling birth defect. In a new interview with Black enterprise, the Kodjoes share how spina bifida has changed their lives.
On how their daughter’s condition has changed their priorities:
Boris: It has turned everything upside down. It has been hard for the past four years to find our way through this maze. It’s tough because our daughter needs 24/7 care, but we still have to make movies and TV shows because that is what supports the family. You realize that all the things that stress you out aren’t really important at all. Our daughter’s health, our son, Nicolas, our family—the four of us—that is our priority in life. We also have to be meticulous about fundraising. It’s a business, but it’s quite sobering.
On their hopes and dreams for Sophie and other children with spina bifida:
Nicole: I want her to be as self-sufficient as possible, and if she does “cath” herself for the rest of her life, I want her to be confident and take care of her health and maybe even help other young women do the same.
On why they started their foundation Sophie’s Voice:
Boris: It was our way of learning how to cope. You’re sort of stuck and you don’t know what the future will hold and you have to transition into a whole new level of responsibility. Then you realize that you are not the only one. There are a lot of people that struggle with the same situation, but have fewer resources, less help, and less education.
Nicole: I thought it was the right thing to do. Doctors say folic acid prevents spina bifida, but what about the people who already have it? So we’re trying to figure out how to improve daily functions that we all take for granted and ease the burden on families. There’s a surgery called the Xiao procedure [developed by a Chinese urologist, Dr. Chuan-Guo Xiao] that reroutes nerves from the legs to the bladder, and they then “teach” the bladder to empty itself over time. When I learned about the surgery, I wanted to step up to the plate and try to raise money.
On how Sophie’s Voice can help families:
Boris: This is not a temporary effort. The surgical trial is our first goal, but we have goals after that. There are people who can’t afford to keep buying diapers, catheters, wheelchairs, and braces until after their kids are grown. [The average cost of raising a child with spina bifida is 13 times higher than that of raising a normal child.]
Nicole: We have to figure out how to serve families. We are not experts, but we are in it with them. Sophie’s Voice is currently planning a private introductory fundraiser in New York City this month. More long-range plans include opening a chapter in Ghana, where they’re still learning how to best care for those with spina bifida.
Source:Black enterprise,
I ABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS COUPLE {FAMILY}!!!! They are what every human should base their outlooks on. They have a child with a disability, they do research, they do fundraisers, etc. They are awesome!! They don’t do it JUST for their child, they do it for other children with the same disability. They’re humble, great people.
What a beautiful family.
They sure are.
sophie is cute i feel bad gfor her and family dont make of fun causeyour child could have something wrong no offense i hope she live a long life
Lovely family, inside & out…
I LOVE this family and will support them 100% both kids are beautfil!!! the little boy looks just like his dad so adorable!!
naturally beautiful hair but put it in ponytails
Why? It looks cute like that.
Completely agree!
I adore this family! Very inspirational:)
its my comment not makin of sophie and others so haters fall back my opinion its a site people can say what they want
It makes me so sad and angry that children have to go through these kinds of things. It makes me want to cry.
Sophie’s so cute like her daddy, and just look at little Nicholas…he’s as pretty as his mommy!
Such a beautiful family fighting for such a great cause GO Boris-Kojoe family!
and Sophie’s hair is FINE out and natural just the way it is. She does need those tight ponytails pulling her hair out!
zariah im not makin fun of sophies hair but a style is style if nicole wants ponytails or whatever thats her sophie is her child its her decision of her to comb her babys hair in whatever style she chooses my opinion
One beautiful looking family. I wish them well!
Thanks BCK for highlighting another wholesome and inspirational family. What a beautiful family portrait and thank you to their family for sharing their personal story!
she cute but they 19 months apart she looks like my cousin saige she 4 sophie 4 and nicholas 21/2 he be 3 in oct 31 she turned 4 march 5 nicholads cute nicole have another boy/ girl another sibling for them hope noboby make fun of her cause they ignorant anyway hope you get better sophie
Please don’t call anyone ignorant.
i didnt mean they ignorant i meant its mean to talk about sophie and any child so leave me alone
I can really tell that you are YOUNG because of your post but PLEASE use proper english that said that what you are saying can actually be understood.
LMAO!! I guess I can say that to myself as well.
so to correct my comment. PLEASE USE PROPER ENGLISH SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING!!!
THERE! I think I got it this time!
please dont insult my english i write fast and im young leave me alone my age is notyour business by the way sometimes my writing is messy oh well ill write better
@ebony, at least you keep trying, baby. Keep practicing your writing. I like the way you try to write kind things about the kids you see posted on BCK.
Stay sweet and stay in school!
Keep it up, you’ll get better with practice.
Don’t call people ignorant, though, because that is cyber bullying and BCK says not to do that, okay, sweetheart?
Thank You!
I have always thought that this is such a beautiful family. I can understand the pressure that worry brings when it concerns your child.
Nice family
Always loved them as a couple since seein their chemistry on Soul Food the series
Cutie pies! Sophie is dad’s twin, and her bro looks just like mom!
hi nicole please put a video with your beautiful children
wow, the kids have gotten so big! Sophie is the spitting image of mom and Nicolas is a good mix of both, but is starting to look like dad a bit more. and actually, he looks a lot like Solange’s son Julez the more at look at his pic.
There’s some similarity in coloring between Nicholas and Julez, but they really don’t look alike.
CUTE KIDS SUCH A LOVELY FAMILY GOD BLESS THEM ESP SOPHIE.
What a lovely family! The kids are just beautiful. The little looks very mischievous with that cute little smile. I wish little Sophie well, she is a gorgeous little girl.
Beautiful family! Very positive role models!
This is one of the most beautiful families around. Their family reminds me of Salli and Dondre Whitfield and their son and daughter. Just nothing you can say but what gorgeous children and gorgeous parents they are. WOW!!!
i love this family their so beautiful, and i love it that their trying to help others out. A sophie is so gorgeous with that smile on her face, it doesnt even look like she worries about her spina bifida. stunning family, and loving it they acknowlegde their ghanaian background. Sophie rocking her kente. love it. <3
This couple is gorgeous. I hate to fawn over such superficiality, but they are esp Boris.
Their children won the genetics lottery as far as looks but I know it must be so hard dealing with the medical struggles their daughter has faced and is facing.
So for people who go overboard with how cute or not cute a child is—some things are so much more important.
I wish them the best.
Im glad they are being public with this, and have a foundation. i have a special need child and it is hard and these kids really need 24hr care.
God bless this beautiful family with more strength and wisdom.
Beautiful family. Great job raising awareness of Spina Bifida! God Bless them!
I freakin love this family! The girl looks like Boris. The boy looks like Nicole. The Kodjoes appear to be good people too..