My Hero 360

After checking in with Becky Jackson Curran for a follow-up interview with her incredibly supportive parents, Hero Philanthropy made a donation to Achilles International at Becky’s recommendation. This organization is special to Becky because its mission is to connect individuals with disabilities to walking and running programs. Learn more at https://www.achillesinternational.org/   Connect with...

In this special episode of My Hero 360, we check in with Becky Jackson Curran and she introduces her parents who were instrumental in pushing her tothrive in life and not let the challenges of living with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism, hold her back. Her parents, Jack and Linda, empoweredBecky throughout her childhood and share the overwhelming feeling of watching the impact their daug...

In this episode of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Megan Ladwig and Vanessa Peace, both mothers of daughters living with Rett syndrome. The women detail their transformative journeys, not just as moms, but as caregivers and advocates for their girls living with the rare condition. The two discuss major milestones reached for those living with Rett syndrome, including the recently FDA-app...

My Hero Philanthropy teamed up with Matthew Zachary to turn our anger into an actionable contribution to his movement. Matthew has dedicated his life to improving outcomes and care for adolescents and young adults who survive cancer, and Hero Philanthropy is proud to join him as he fights for an American healthcare system that is more humane and just. As Matthew says: “Let’s do something with the...

In this episode of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Matthew Zachary, the founder of Stupid Cancer, host of the “Out of Patients” podcast, author of “We the Patients: Understanding, Navigating, and Surviving America’s Healthcare Nightmare,” and a long-time patient rights activist. Matthew was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer as a college student in the 90s and has since dedicated his lif...

To honor Becky and her son Jackson, Hero Philanthropy made a donation to the Little People of America to help further the organization’s mission of providing support, resources, and awareness to individuals with dwarfism and their families. Connect with Becky: https://www.instagram.com/beckymotivates Connect with the Little People of America: https://www.lpaonline.org/ About My Hero 360: At My Her...

In part 2 of My Hero 360’s conversation with Becky Jackson Curran, she shares the story of her son, Jackson, whose life was tragically cut short. Becky and Jackson were both born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. At 6 months old, Jackson suffered a medical emergency that resulted in his death. Becky talks about Jackson’s impact and her advocacy work to ensure that all people receive the bes...

In this episode of My Hero 360, host Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Becky Jackson Curran who was born with achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. Born into a supportive average-height family, Becky had the tenacity to overcome countless challenges and setbacks, from grueling surgeries to feeling different from others. Becky also shares her career journey in the film indust...

In this episode of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Hollisa Rosengrant in honor of CTX Awareness Day on September 17 about her experience living with the rare genetic lipid storage disorder. After noticing a bump on her knuckle at 27, a biopsy revealed that she had been living undiagnosed with CTX her entire life. Hollisa now serves on the board of the CTX Alliance where she advocates for...

As part of this video series, Hero Philanthropy made a $2500 donation to help further the Little Legs Big Heart Foundation’s mission of providing support, resources, and hope to families and individuals living with achondroplasia and other skeletal conditions. Kristen DeAndrade turned adversity into advocacy and created a vibrant community that connects individuals and families and shines a light...

In part 2 of My Hero 360’s conversation with Kristen DeAndrade, she shares why she created the Little Legs Big Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to building a stronger community for individuals living with achondroplasia and skeletal dysplasia. By focusing on advocacy, mental health, and education, the Foundation is working to improve patient care and family resources. From launching cam...

In this My Hero 360 episode, host Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Kristen DeAndrade to share her experience living with achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. Kristen talks about her decision to undergo limb lengthening surgery at a young age and subsequently navigating criticism from her own community. Kristen discusses why personal choice and medical autonomy matter. She...

In this episode of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Deb Caton as she shares her decades-long journey with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In 2020, she was hospitalized at just 80 pounds due to an IBS flare-up and had to rely on a feeding tube for several months. Deb discusses malnutrition, food anxiety, and the recovery that helped her regain her strength. She also shares insights on the...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Monica and Robert Quarles, who share their daughter’s journey with Alagille syndrome. Upon welcoming Miracle to the world following an IVF journey, Monica and Robert knew something wasn’t right. Six weeks later, they finally had an answer, but the journey was just getting started. Monica and Robert discuss the emotional, financial, and physical chal...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Ashley Brooks about her rare disease journey. Ashley first learned about generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) during her studies in college and later learned she actually had the chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. After getting diagnosed, she noticed an absence of people who looked like her—a young woman—featured in resources online linked to gM...

As part of this video series celebrating Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day, Hero Philanthropy made a $2500 donation to the HypoPARAthyroidism Association. Patty and Michele, both advocates and heroes, sit down with My Hero 360’s Chris Ciraulo to discuss the ways in which the two outlets’ missions align. Both seek to spotlight the stories of individuals living with chronic rare health conditions, wi...

In this special episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Patty Keating and Michele Rayes, the leadership team behind the HypoPARAthryoidism Association, to discuss and define what it means to have hypoparathyroidism, giving listeners a glimpse into the daily struggles and symptoms of individuals with hypoparathyroidism. The two women share recent wins for the Association and share how listeners ca...

In part 2 of our conversation with Michele Rayes, she shares how legislative change is a critical part of supporting and protecting people living with a rare disease. She discusses legislative bills that the HypoPARAthyroidism Association supports and provides an educational lens into how to be a good patient advocate. Michele explains specific pieces of legislation she is fighting for, like respo...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Michele Rayes about her journey from one life-changing diagnosis to another. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in her early 20s, the surgery that helped to address the cancer subsequently resulted in a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism, a rare, chronic disease for which there is no cure. Michele speaks in-depth about the physical and mental toll...

In part 2 of our conversation with Patty Keating, we dive deep into how hypoparathyroidism can affect the whole patient. Patty shares vulnerable moments that highlight symptoms such as brain fog, emphasizing how truly debilitating and isolating it can feel. The conversation also discusses treatment options, specifically how the HypoPARAthyroidism Association has helped to bring an FDA-approved opt...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Patty Keating about her experience as a post-surgical hypoparathyroidism patient. What was supposed to be surgery to address complex tumors on her thyroid became what felt like a life sentence with a chronic health condition. When her journey toward understanding her rare disease took a dangerous turn, resulting in a heart attack, Patty took charge of...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Stuart Miller about his health journey with IgA nephropathy. Stuart was diagnosed with the rare kidney condition before there were any FDA-approved treatment options. In 2018, he underwent a kidney transplant through a donor exchange program. His incredible wife was one of the donors who made this possible. Stuart is now the Director of Strategic Plann...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Krissa Hoermann , an event florist, to discuss her journey navigating the challenges of C. diff and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Krissa shares an honest account of the physical and emotional impact C. diff had on her life, recounting how it left her exhausted and frustrated without a solution for 6 months. She shares how an incredible doctor a...

In this special episode,  John B. Grimes is back with My Hero 360 with a special announcement: his book is being published tomorrow, February 7. In the book, titled “Destiny Is Debatable,” John shares his experience with bacterial meningitis and how it changed the trajectory of his life. He shares lessons learned and offers inspirational advice for people navigating a challenging time in their lif...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Cathleen McCabe , an ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon in Florida who runs the nonprofit Sight for Life , which provides eye care for people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In recognition of January’s Glaucoma Awareness Month, Kerri and Dr. McCabe discuss the lasting impacts the organization has had on the Caribbean island over the last 20-pl...