A Johnstown mother refers to her one year old baby boy as a miracle. After undergoing a risky surgery that put her and her son's life in danger, Merissa Sandusky is proud to share her experience.

In the beginning of her pregnancy, Merissa was told that her son Jaidyn had a rare form of Spina Bifida; a birth defect that affects a person mentally and physically.

After vigorously searching online for answers, Merissa says she discovered that the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recently conducted a trial surgery for women pregnant with children diagnosed with the birth defect.

Doctors told her the surgery would involve correcting Jaidyn's spine and would be done while she was pregnant. A move, Merissa says could have been fatal for both her and her baby.

When she decided to go along with the surgery, Merissa discovered she was one of a few pregnant women in the nation to ever have it done. A move she says was well worth it.

"He does have a lot of neurological problems to this day, but if I would not have had the surgery we're told he would never eat, breathe or swallow on his own, and he does all of those things," says Merissa Sandusky, mother of Jaidyn.

Though Jaidyn is now a one year old, he still needs to go through several surgeries. With the cost of operations and the constant traveling to and from Philadelphia, Merissa’s family and friends recently hosted a "Benefit Basket Party" for Jaidyn. If you would like to help out the family, give Merissa a call, at 814-754-1373.