Hydro Heroes Unite is a podcast for parents and caregivers of children with hydrocephalus. Hosted by Taisha Cameron, Season One shares stories from families navigating pediatric hydrocephalus and insights from medical professionals. New episodes every other Wednesday.
Created in partnership with the Hydrocephalus Association.
Dare To Be Your Unique Self - Angelica's Hydro Story
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with my daughter, Angelica, and talk about her life with hydrocephalus. I tried to keep the conversation focused on her experiences with surgery after a shunt malfunction and all things hydrocephalus — but she had other plans. Angelica spoke about what matters most to her: standing up for yourself, being your unique self, and respecting people’s differences. She absolutely blew me away with the insight and honesty s...
2 Sept 2026
Brotherhood & Bravery: Josh and Jake's Hydrocephalus Story
Send us Fan Mail Today I share parts of my conversation with twin brothers, Josh and Jake. Josh has hydrocephalus and Jake doesn't. We talk about what can be challenging, what brings them joy and being brave. I also got the opportunity to speak with their mom, Emily, about things she's learned caring for a loved one with hydrocephalus. Resources connected to today's episode: Hydrocephalus Awareness Month Shunt System Complications of Shunt Systems Shunt Revision Surgery: What to Expec...
19 Aug 2026
Navigating IEP and 504 Plans with Education Law Attorney Ashley VanCleef
Send us Fan Mail Not sure what an IEP or 504 plan is or if your child needs one? Today on Hydro Heroes Unite education law attorney Ashley VanCleef joins me to break down IEP's and 504 plans for adolescents living with hydrocephalus. We talk about what the plans are, how to start the process, and what to be mindful of along the way. Ashley also shares the legal steps to take when things aren’t working and how to help teens begin advocating for themselves during their own IEP meetings. ...
5 Aug 2026
Mental Health and Hydrocephalus with Pediatric Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth McRae
Send us Fan Mail Pediatric psychologist Dr. Elizabeth McRae returns to the show after her Season 1 conversation on caregiver resilience and advocacy. Today I'll be sharing parts of our conversation about mental health in adolescents living with hydrocephalus. We explore how anxiety, depression, school stress, and chronic symptoms shape daily life for teens, and how families can support emotional well‑being and self‑advocacy. I'm grateful to have her back to share her knowledge and heart with ...
22 Jul 2026
School Life, Growing Confidence, and Becoming More Independent: Camille's Hydro Journey
Send us Fan Mail Today I’ll be sharing parts of my conversation with Camille, a 15-year-old high schooler who loves musical theater, singing and writing and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus when she was ten years old. Camille is our first brave adolescent voice this season speaking out in her own words about her experience living with hydrocephalus. HA Resources: Request a Hydro Hero shoutout on the show Hydrocephalus in Infants and Children Headaches and Hydrocephalus Headaches and H...
8 Jul 2026
School, Advocacy, and Supporting Independence: Raising a Teen with Hydrocephalus
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 Hydro Hero shoutout on the show Hydrocephalus in Infants and Children Congenital Hydrocephalu...
24 Jun 2026
Understanding the Adolescent Brain & Hydrocephalus with neuropsychologist Dr. Andy Zabel
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 please see the links below: Practical Tips and Tools for Dealing with Memory and Executiv...
23 Jun 2026
Season 2 Trailer: The Adolescent Stage of Hydrocephalus
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 about their unique lived experience. Follow the show on your listening app of choice so you never miss an episo...
29 Oct 2025
Dancing in the Rain: Scott + Angelica’s Story of Hope + Healing
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 pregnancyNavigating NICU life, Hurricane Maria and unexpected PICU transfersFinding humor in hard places Advocating as a caregiver and trusting your gut (and your partners)How resilience forms slowly, moment ...
15 Oct 2025
Self-Care is Not a Luxury, it’s a Responsibility: Advocacy & Resilience with Pediatric Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth McRae
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 neuropsychologistsHow parents can help kids learn to advocate for themselvesThe RAISE program, which helps caregivers build resilience and find balanceWhy self-care and mental health are essential f...
1 Oct 2025
The Search for the Silver Lining: Melissa & Abagail’s Hydrocephalus Story
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 challenges many parents don’t expect. We talk about the power of trusting your instincts as a parent, fin...
17 Sept 2025
Helping Children with Hydrocephalus Thrive with Neuropsychologist Dr. Jennifer Queally
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 independence, preparing for adulthood, and balancing the realities of parenting a child with a medical condi...
3 Sept 2025
Understanding Hydrocephalus: A Conversation with Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Ramin Eskandari
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 patientsThe most common treatment options, including shunts and ETVWarning signs of shunt malfunctionsNew research and advances in treatmentThe debate on activity restrictions for pat...
20 Aug 2025
Faith, Family, and Fight: Crystal & Natalie's Story of Resilience
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 family faced the fear of having another child, the importance of hope, and what it means to step back...
6 Aug 2025
When the Whole Family’s Admitted: NICU Care & Hope with Dr. Hallie Morris
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 together, and why supporting caregivers is just as important as supporting the patient. From managing ex...
23 Jul 2025
We Just One-Daying It: Miya + Mila’s Hydrocephalus Story
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 the long game of raising a child with special medical needs. This conversation is raw, real, and i...
22 Jul 2025
Introducing Hydro Heroes Unite
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 and quiet victories of life with hydrocephalus. Our first full episode drops Wednesday, July 23. Subsc...
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