You're Not Alone

I was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus when I was six (6) years old and after my first major brain surgery, I had to have my entire head shaved completely bald. On top of now being a little girl with a newly bald head, I also stuttered, so I was often teased for both. I had brain surgery, having my shunt revised, three (3) times by the time I was seven years old. With going through so much at such a young age, I was determined to not let any of that define my life. I graduated from Redan High School with a 3.5 GPA and I then went on to college at Clark Atlanta University where I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications. After completing college, I started working as a Television Producer/Editor and in 2008 I had the honor of winning an Emmy Award for editing a two-part documentary on the Holocaust. After that award, I won six (6) Telly Awards and in 2010, a Gabby Award. After 29 years of living with my shunt, on April 8, 2014, I had to have emergency surgery and my shunt had to be replaced again. While I was at home recovering, I came up with the idea to start "A Friend Like Me", which is a doll company for children who were just like me, and I also wanted to write a book to let everyone who has Hydrocephalus know that we can still live normal and successful lives.