If that injury wasn’t enough, Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer and revealed in 2014 that she was going under the knife to remove the cancer.
Like many women who suffer through breast cancer, Spencer has a family history of the disease.
“With everything that I’ve been through with the spinal cord injury I know God is not going to give me another affliction. So I was completely shocked when the doctors told me,” says Spencer.
In a 2015 facebook post, Spencer reported that she was doing fine and thanked everyone for their prayers. She is still a veterinarian and loving the married life with her husband, David.
But don’t worry, her journey through the years isn’t all bad< news–she was inducted into the Smithsonian Museum in the exhibition of the African-American culture! Spencer is the only child star to be inducted.
“I still can’t believe it,” she says. “That’s something people can look at for years to come, long after I’m gone.”
READ: 5 Common Breast Cancer Myths Busted
In addition to being a veterinarian, Danielle has also added the title of author to her name. She released a book about her life in 2013 titled, Through The Fire…Journal Of A Child Star.
“I would like for it to be remembered as maybe one of the first shows that allowed people from all generations and racial backgrounds to come together and watch TV at the same time. Before that, it’s been said that white people didn’t watch a lot of the shows black people were on. But now, we have so many fans of all races that come up to us and say they really enjoyed What’s Happening! and how it reminds them of their childhood. That’s always a good thing when you can be reminded of the things you were raised with.”
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Breast Cancer center for more articles.