September is hydrocephalus awareness month

As you can see I have had hydrocephalus most of my life -- having developed it shortly after birth. I will make no qualms about it, I am a walking miracle because I have survived well-past the two-year mark predicted by the doctor and have went on to become a healthy, productive adult who loves to help others. Unfortunately not all those affected by Hydrocephalus are as unfortunate as I was and suffer from a myriad of health issues including heart problems, lack of bladder control (incontinence), loss of coordination, trouble walking and/or slow or restricted movement just to name a few. To increase awareness of this condition, September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month and survivors such as myself, as well as  parents of children born with the condition are using all means at their disposal including blogs and social media sites such as Facebook to get it out before the public. Here's an example:

Facebook hydrocephalus group

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, but the effort shouldn't be limited to just one month because hydrocephalus is probably one of the least know - and least publicized - conditions known to medical science. For example, when I was born in 1963, there was somewhere between a half-page to one page devoted to the topic in most medical books. The sad fact is that in forty-seven (47) years that has changed some -- but not near as much as it should considering that statistics now show that over 1,000,000 children have been born with hydrocephalus. There have been wonderful strides in the treatment of "hydro" with items such as the programmable shunt (pictured at left) , , , now we just need to do a better job of raising awareness. To that end, I'm going to do my part later this month when I participate in the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Fund (PHF) "Walk for the Cure". It will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Atlanta Beach, 2300 Highway 138, SE, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236.


Website for the PHF "Walk for the Cure"

Until next time . . .