Hydrocephalus Awareness Month Interview Post

Today is the twenty second day of Hydrocephalus Awareness Month and today I will be sharing an interview that I have created with my older sister Ashley.  I decided to interview my sister Ashley, because she is familiar with what I went through growing up. So I am going to post some of the question and answers we have done so far. Me: Q. How would you say learning about Hydrocephalus has impacted you? My sister: A.Seeing how you live and learning about others who live with hydrocephalus has made me aware of the challenges you face. Me: Q. What is one thing you learned about it that you didn't know before? My sister: A.Pretty much nothing. I have been around it for 25 years. Me: Q. If you were someone who moved into a new place and you met a family who had a child with Hydrocephalus and you didn't know what it was, how would you try to learn about what the condition was? My sister: A. I would ask the family or research online. Me: Q. When you first found out that I had hydrocephalus was it scary or were you not too afraid? My sister: A. not really afraid, didn't know what anything meant as I was 12 years old. Me: Q. If a kid or your own came up to you and asked you to explain to them what hydrocephalus was, how would you explain to them what it was? And would it be easy or hard to explain? My sister: A. Hydrocephalus is a condition where your body produces too much fluid in your brain which causes it to swell or other problems. Many people have surgery to get a shunt put in. A shunt is a device that helps the brain drain the extra water. easy. Me: Q. What do you think are some of the biggest challenges people like me face? My sister: A. Aside from health concerns, people who don't know you might not understand you, making friends and finding others who can share in your journey. Me: Q. Why do you think some people or others like me always think there is nothing wrong? Meaning why do you think they think or others like me haven't gone through any struggles? Would you change that by explaining to them my situation or would you not say anything? My sister: A. I think changing people's perception starts with education. I think people think there is nothing wrong with you because you seem healthy and well. It would be rude for someone to ask you what is wrong with you. Me: When I typed that question in my head, I was trying say this:Q.  Do you think those who seem and see that I am healthy and well, that even though I've been through a lot and still go through many things, that you would change the situation by explaining to them that even though I seem healthy and well, I still go through something everyday, even though they can't see it? Me: A. For those who see me as healthy, well, and smiling a lot of those people may not always think anything could be wrong. They don't see my Hydrocephalus or disabilities because they're invisible. Now when I say invisible, I mean you may not be able to see my learning disabilities but I have them. You may not be able to see everything I go through, but I deal with it and don't give up. You may not be able to see my Hydrocephalus, but I have it. You can feel my shunt and you may not be able to see it but it's there. You may not be able to see a lot of things that I'm sure my mom could tell you about but it's there. I hope that as I continue to type this response to close out something I decided to differently for today's post that you will have learned something new, that you will continue to understand why this month is so important to me. I wouldn't change my response for the last part for anything because it was what was on my heart, and it is what I felt. I know there are people who may not always understand the way I think, or the way I see things and that's okay. I know that God created me in His Image and He made me this way for a reason. I know He has a plan for my life. September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, tell someone. Let them know that this month is important. Let them know why it is is important to learn about Hydrocephalus. I hope to share something new tomorrow but until then, I hope you've enjoyed reading what my sister has had to say, along with my own responses as well.