Hydro Heroes Unite

I sit down to talk with LaShonda, a mom of teen daughter Camille who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at ten years old. We discuss their family's experience receiving the diagnosis, school experiences, advocacy and the challenges of supporting independence in a teenager living with a complex medical condition like hydrocephalus.  National Conference on Hydrocephalus, HA CONNECT   Request a Hy...

Season 2 is all about the adolescent stage of hydrocephalus. To kick things off, Dr. Andy Zabel shares his insights as a neuropsychologist on brain development during this stage of life. We sat down to discuss executive functioning, when parents should consider a neuropsych evaluation, the impact of relationships and technology, and much more.  For more resources connected to this conversation ple...

June 24th we kick off season 2 of Hydro Heroes Unite. This season is all about the adolescent stage of hydrocephalus. We'll discuss brain development, mental health, IEP & 504, and living an active life with medical experts and professionals who dedicate their careers to helping kids and families thrive. And the best part, we'll hear from kids and teens living with hydrocephalus abou...

In this final episode of Season One, I bring it home (literally) and share parts of my conversation with my husband Scott as he opens up about his perspective through Angelica’s hydrocephalus and Dandy-Walker diagnosis. Scott opens up about: The shock of receiving a diagnosis during pregnancy Navigating NICU life, Hurricane Maria and unexpected PICU transfers Finding humor in hard places  Advocati...

Today I’ll share parts of my conversation with Dr. Elizabeth McRae, a pediatric psychologist at the University of Alabama, to talk about empowering children with complex medical conditions and supporting the families who care for them. We explore: The difference between pediatric psychologists and neuropsychologists How parents can help kids learn to advocate for themselves The RAISE program, whic...

In this heartfelt and often funny episode of Hydro Heroes Unite , I sit down with Melissa, a fellow NICU mom and twin mom, whose daughter Abagail lives with hydrocephalus, hemiplegia, cortical visual impairment, and epilepsy. Melissa shares her heart and her humor as she reflects on their family’s journey — from the early NICU days to navigating the complexities of hydrocephalus, including challen...

What every parent needs to know about helping kids with hydrocephalus thrive at home and school. Today’s conversation with neuropsychologist Dr. Jennifer Queally explores the impact of hydrocephalus on learning and development, how parents and schools can collaborate, and the challenges children face in self-advocacy. The conversation also dives into practical strategies for supporting independenc...

What is hydrocephalus? How is it most commonly treated? And what should families know about living with this complex neurological condition? In this episode we’ll hear from Dr. Ramin Eskandari, a leading neurosurgeon, about the realities of hydrocephalus care. We discuss: What hydrocephalus is and how it affects patients The most common treatment options, including shunts and ETV Warning signs of...

Crystal’s story is one of resilience, faith, and hope. After her daughter Natalie was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, additional challenges followed: cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. In this episode, Crystal opens up about walking through the valley of the shadow of death, leaning on her faith, and finding strength as a parent in the most difficult circumstances. We discuss how she and her fami...

In this episode of Hydro Heroes Unite , we head into the NICU with neonatologist Dr. Hallie Morris, who brings both her medical expertise and deep compassion to the conversation. We explore what it really means when a baby is admitted to the NICU - and how, in many ways, the whole family is admitted too. Dr. Morris shares how hydrocephalus is often diagnosed in newborns, how care teams come togeth...

In this first episode of Hydro Heroes Unite , I sit down with Miya — a mother of three whose youngest daughter Mila lives with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. Miya opens up about navigating a four-month NICU stay with newborn twins during the pandemic, while also parenting a toddler at home. We explore what survival mode really looks like, what comes after crisis, and how Miya stays grounded in...

Welcome to Hydro Heroes Unite , a new bi-weekly podcast for parents and caregivers raising children with hydrocephalus. I'm your host, Taisha Cameron a fellow hydro hero mama, and in this season, we’re shining a light on the pediatric hydrocephalus journey. Each episode brings you real conversations with other parents and insights from medical professionals who understand the daily challenges...