Just Believe

Millions need your help

Hydrocephalus, commonly referred to as water on the brain, is a lifelong, neurological condition, affecting over one million Americans from newborns to seniors. Presently there is no cure and the only treatment is brain surgery.

Where is The Quality Of Life?

Those affected face a lifelong battle that can be physically & emotionally draining on a person & their loved ones. My name is Jennifer Bechard and I have been battling hydrocephalus for 10 years now. To date I have undergone 88 surgeries. The management of recurrent shunt malfunctions remains a serious problem for all too many shunted patients. Although thousands of lives have been saved through shunt technology, the overall design of shunt valves has changed little through the past 50 years. There is much more research that needs to be done to improve shunt technology, therefore improving the hydrocephalus patient’s quality of life.

From my personal experience & my countless amount of days spent in the hospital, I have been able to witness the daily struggles others have to endure. A life with hydrocephalus means your future is uncertain & many live in constant fear of what is to come. People affected are wondering why there is a lack of support & funding for research. How can back to back surgeries be the only option? How is it that the medical costs of treating hydrocephalus be over $1 billion per year, yet in 2008 the National Institute of Health only invested $2.23 million towards research.

A mother’s love

After a long stay & several surgeries within a month span my mom & I decided we couldn’t just sit by. We needed to get involved; we needed help make a difference in other’s lives. In 2007, within a matter of 2 months, she put together the 1st Annual Detroit Hydrocephalus WALK through the Hydrocephalus Association. 100 people attended & we raised $7,000. In 2008 we doubled the amount of attendees & raised over $18,000.

Hope Is In The Distance

On Sunday August 2, 2009 fears turned into a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. We hosted our 3rd Annual Detroit Hydrocephalus WALK at Rotary Park in Livonia, MI. We had 16 individuals with hydrocephalus at our 3rd Annual Detroit Hydrocephalus WALK. No ones story was the same, but we all had one common goal for this very special day. Our purpose was to educate others, bring awareness to our community, & help raise funds for research.

Overall, we raised $24,000, with more donations coming in! Throughout the past 3 years we have brought in over $48,000! We’ve formed a lifelong bond & a new source of support for our future trials hydrocephalus will bring along.

A Greater Purpose

There is nothing better in life than seeing that smile appear upon a child’s face when they realize there are others like them, that they are not alone.

Children, adults, & families felt comforted by the fact that they were able to share their stories with people who truly understood what they were going through.  All I want is to touch one life, change one person’s outlook. Whether it is hydrocephalus or another rare medical condition; children, adults, & families need to know that there is support available & they are NOT alone in this battle!

After our 2009 Detroit Hydrocephalus WALK I felt I needed to find a way to give individuals & families support throughout the year. It has been a dream of mine to form a support group that gives those affected educational information, coping mechanisms, & a network of people to count on with the daily obstacles hydrocephalus tends to bring to ones life. I am proud to say that dream has come true! I have formed the First Detroit Hydrocephalus Association Support Group & our meetings will begin on January 15, 2010. Our flyer can be located by visiting this link.

Catch the wave & help us eliminate the challenges many are faced with in today’s world!

Personal Websites:

• The Struggles Make You Stronger
• Twitter
• Detroit Hydrocephalus WALK Fan Page