My Hero 360

My Hero 360

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My Hero 360 is an online community dedicated to showing the human side of medicine. It is our deep desire and goal to honor, celebrate, and connect unsung heroes in medical communities worldwide. This initiative provides these extraordinary individuals with a platform to share their experiences and foster a ripple effect of inspiration. Together, we can empower each other and improve quality of life, one story at a time.

18h ago

This Hero Is Paving the Way for People With Disabilities | Becky Jackson Curran

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 industry where she sought to challenge the way little people are perceived in society. After feeling like her impact wasn’t big enough, Becky branched out on her to continue her mission of increasing the visibility of people with dwarfism and other disabilities and improving the treatment and acceptance of people who are perceived as “different.” Key Highlights: • Hear how Becky Jackson Curran faced a difficult surgical journey to address issues related to her achondroplasia. • Be inspired by Becky’s career journey, which has resulted in her becoming a public speaker who has given 2 TEDx Talks. • Hear why authentic disability representation in media matters. • Learn about the realities of living with a rare condition like achondroplasia and how it affects life, career, and family. 00:00 Introduction & Background 02:09 Several Surgeries: Unspoken Complications 14:33 A Product of My Environment 18:10 Life in Media: Representation and Career Goals 22:02 Finding an Open Door 27:06 Societal Inclusion: The Advocate 29:47 Finding the Little People of America 31:04 Educating Families on the Needs of People With Disabilities Connect with Becky: https://www.instagram.com/beckymotivates About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world. Support My Hero 360: https://myhero360.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 Listen to Our Heroes’ Stories: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-hero-360/id1870681068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LnJ9ce28OkweYcopCZx2L?si=ae174fd84ef44334 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aa426e78-fb79-4978-8851-d5aab25cf951/my-hero-360 Subscribe to this channel for more inspirational stories.
1d ago

Undiagnosed For 27 Years With CTX | Hollisa Rosengrant

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 continued education, awareness, and research surrounding rare disease care. This episode shines a light on all that the CTX Alliance is working toward to improve outcomes and opportunities for the CTX community. Key Highlights: •Hear how Hollisa Rosengrant came to understand her rare genetic condition, which had been undiagnosed for 27 years. •Be inspired by Hollisa’s work to get all states to designate September 17 as CTX Awareness Day. •Hear why Hollisa believes community is important and how the CTX Alliance serves that need for patients and families across the globe. •Learn about the CTX Alliance’s latest achievements and goals and how to connect and get involved. 00:00 Introduction & Background 00:028 CTX Journey 04:55 Joining the CTX Alliance 07:10 September 17 Is CTX Awareness Day 09:10 We Need Better Rare Disease Screening 11:04 CTX Alliance Initiatives and How to Get Involved 14:08 Advice to Younger Self 15:04 Closing Remarks Connect with the CTX Alliance: https://ctxalliance.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctx-alliance-023ba3231/ About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. Bysharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope forhumanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make adifference in the world. Support My Hero 360: https://myhero360.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 Listen to Our Heroes’ Stories: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-hero-360/id1870681068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LnJ9ce28OkweYcopCZx2L?si=ae174fd84ef44334 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aa426e78-fb79-4978-8851-d5aab25cf951/my-hero-360 Subscribe to this channel for more inspirational stories.
2d ago

Making Change, One Heart at a Time | Kristen DeAndrade

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 on the mental healthcare that is equally as important as physical care. Connect with Kristen and the Little Legs Big Heart Foundation: https://www.littlelegsbigheartfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/littlelegsbigheart/About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world. Support My Hero 360: https://myhero360.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 Listen to Our Heroes’ Stories: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-hero-360/id1870681068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LnJ9ce28OkweYcopCZx2L?si=ae174fd84ef44334 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aa426e78-fb79-4978-8851-d5aab25cf951/my-hero-360 Subscribe to this channel for more inspirational stories.
3d ago

Shaping the Future of Achondroplasia Care | Kristen DeAndrade

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 camps and national conferences to creating a free mental health support network, Kristen is helping families and empowering them to make informed healthcare decisions. Key Highlights: • Hear how Kristen turned her personal health journey into an advocacy mission. • Be inspired by Kristen's advice to trust yourself and stand firm in your decisions. • Hear why community and connection can be life-changing for patients and caregivers. • Learn about how open conversations about anxiety, depression, and emotional health can help reduce stigma and improve mental health. 00:00 Introduction & Recap of Part 1 01:07 The “Why” Behind Kristen’s Work 07:27 "Mental Health Has Been a Big Thing for Me” 12:17 Wisdom and Insight for Families 16:32 Connect With the Little Legs Big Heart Foundation 17:31 What’s Next for Kristen? 19:02 Advice to Younger Self 19:32 Closing Remarks Connect with Kristen and the Little Legs Big Heart Foundation: https://www.littlelegsbigheartfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/littlelegsbigheart/ About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world. Support My Hero 360: https://myhero360.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 Listen to Our Heroes’ Stories: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-hero-360/id1870681068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LnJ9ce28OkweYcopCZx2L?si=ae174fd84ef44334 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aa426e78-fb79-4978-8851-d5aab25cf951/my-hero-360 Subscribe to this channel for more inspirational stories.
3d ago

Personal Choice Is Not Controversial | Kristen DeAndrade

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 also provides education on spinal stenosis, the importance of specialized care, and her mission to improve education and advocacy for individuals living with achondroplasia. This conversation explores resilience, informed decision-making, and the power of individualized care. Key Highlights: • Hear how Kristen DeAndrade chose limb lengthening surgery at age 12 to gain greater independence. • Hear why personalized care and access to medical specialists can have a life-saving impact. • Be inspired by Kristen’s difficult journey through more than 20 surgeries to date. • Learn about the treatment options now available for achondroplasia and the opportunity they offer to patients and families. 00:00 Introduction & Background 01:48 Choosing Limb-Lengthening Surgery 04:32 Community Backlash: “Shame on You” 06:36 The Importance of Independence 08:35 Respecting Individual Medical Choices 11:47 FDA-Approved Treatment Options for Achondroplasia 14:30 Spinal Stenosis: A Close Call With Paralysis 24:07 Specialized Care Is Paramount Connect with Kristen and the Little Legs Big Heart Foundation: https://www.littlelegsbigheartfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/littlelegsbigheart/ About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world. Support My Hero 360: https://myhero360.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 Listen to Our Heroes’ Stories: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-hero-360/id1870681068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LnJ9ce28OkweYcopCZx2L?si=ae174fd84ef44334 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aa426e78-fb79-4978-8851-d5aab25cf951/my-hero-360 Subscribe to this channel for more inspirational stories.
Aug 20

An IBS Story: A Long Road Back to Full Strength | Deb Caton

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 gut-brain connection, self-advocacy, and finding hope while living with a chronic illness. The episode was developed in partnership with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Key Highlights:• Hear how a flare-up in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately led to a scary hospitalization. • Be inspired by Deb Caton’s participation in clinical research studies and her determination to help advance the research. • Hear why this journey invoked anxiety surrounding food and how Deb overcame it. • Learn about Deb’s experience relying on a feeding tube for 8 months. 00:00 Introduction & Background 01:50 The Lost Year: A Chronic Illness During a GlobalPandemic 09:38 Food Anxiety and Therapies 15:25 Participating in Clinical Research and FindingCommunity 21:13 Women’s Health and Chronic Illness 23:25 A Life-Affirming Climb and Life-Changing Advice 30:52 The International Foundation forGastrointestinal Disorders 32:47 Advice to Younger Self 33:45 Closing Remarks Connect with The International Foundation forGastrointestinal Disorders: iffgd.org https://www.linkedin.com/company/iffgd/ https://www.instagram.com/digestivehealthmatters/ About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world. Support My Hero 360: https://myhero360.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 Listen to Our Heroes’ Stories: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-hero-360/id1870681068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LnJ9ce28OkweYcopCZx2L?si=ae174fd84ef44334 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aa426e78-fb79-4978-8851-d5aab25cf951/my-hero-360 Subscribe to this channel for more inspirationalstories.
Jul 9

2’10” and Ready to Conquer the World | Robert and Monica Quarles

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 challenges that they and Miracle have faced. Their experience highlights the importance of trusting your gut, finding support, and never giving up. In the video, Miracle, now 3 years old, also makes an appearance, shyly showing the world her infectious smile. Developed in partnership with the Alagille Syndrome Alliance, this episode shines a light on the realities of parenting a child with a rare condition. Key Highlights: Hear how Monica and Robert Quarles navigated feelings of dismissal from the medical community before reaching a diagnosis for their daughter, Miracle. Be inspired by Monica and Robert’s determination to spread awareness and education for Alagille syndrome, while being a voice for their daughter’s story. Hear how Monica and Robert's fierce advocacy allowed Miracle to get the liver transplant she desperately needed. Learn about how community, such as the Alagille Syndrome Alliance, has made an impact on the family’s ability to navigate this chronic health journey. 00:00 Introduction & Background 02:08 A Mother’s Intuition 09:20 Meet Miracle! 10:15 Rare Conditions Impact the Whole Family 18:10 Finances and Faith 23:13 Miracle’s Life Now: Advocating for Her Life and Future 47:49 Advice to Younger Selves 48:57 Closing Remarks Connect with the Alagille Syndrome Alliance: https://alagille.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/alagille-syndrome-alliance https://www.instagram.com/algsalliance/ https://www.facebook.com/ALGSAlliance/ About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world. Support My Hero 360: https://myhero360.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 Listen to Our Heroes’ Stories: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-hero-360/id1870681068 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LnJ9ce28OkweYcopCZx2L?si=ae174fd84ef44334 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/aa426e78-fb79-4978-8851-d5aab25cf951/my-hero-360
Jun 25

Talking Rare Disease, But Make It Cute | Ashley Brooks

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 gMG, so she decided to start Ashley’s Anatomy as a way to shine a light on the condition and provide education and real-world insights on living with gMG. Key Highlights: Hear how Ashley came to understand that her symptoms were not the result of typical collegiate exhaustion, but rather a chronic condition. Be inspired by Ashley’s passion and success in creating a space for young people with invisible illnesses to better represent themselves. Hear why Ashley was determined to help people better understand rare conditions by framing the discussion in layman’s terms. Learn about her brand, Ashley's Anatomy, which seeks to validate the experiences of those living with a rare condition while educating those who may not understand the struggles faced. 00:00 Introduction & Background 00:44 Exhaustion? Or Something Worse... 03:05 Struggling to Reach a Diagnosis 06:39 Creating a Space for Young People With Rare Conditions 09:18 Advocating for a Treatment Plan 12:15 Creating a Community on Social Media 17:30 Advice to Younger Self 18:17 Closing Remarks Connect with Ashley: ⁠https://ashleysanatomy.com/blog/⁠ ⁠https://instagram.com/_ashleysanatomy⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@_ashleysanatomy⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXrzesB_OXb68gftMqms7iQ⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/AshleysAnatomy/⁠ About My Hero 360: At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Follow us to hear more incredible stories of unsung heroes who make a difference in the world. Support My Hero 360: ⁠https://myhero360.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360⁠

My Hero 360 is an online community dedicated to showing the human side of medicine. It is our deep desire and goal to honor, celebrate, and connect unsung heroes in medical communities worldwide. This initiative provides these extraordinary individuals with a platform to share their experiences and foster a ripple effect of inspiration. Together, we can empower each other and improve quality of life, one story at a time.

Creator

My Hero 360
Years Active

2026
Episodes

46
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© My Hero 360
Show Website

My Hero 360