To honor Becky and her son Jackson, Hero Philanthropy made a donation to the Little People of America to help further the organization’s mission of providing support, resources, and awareness to individuals with dwarfism and their families.

Connect with Becky:

https://www.instagram.com/beckymotivates

Connect with the Little People of America:

https://www.lpaonline.org/

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.

In part 2 of My Hero 360’s conversation with Becky Jackson Curran, she shares the story of her son, Jackson, whose life was tragically cut short. Becky and Jackson were both born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. At 6 months old, Jackson suffered a medical emergency that resulted in his death. Becky talks about Jackson’s impact and her advocacy work to ensure that all people receive the best, most informed medical care. Through remembering Jackson, Becky reminds herself of her own strength, pushing new limits and carrying Jackson's legacy forward.

Key Highlights:

• Hear how Becky Jackson Curran describes her son Jackson: “the most amazing baby on the planet.”

• Be inspired by Becky’s determination to have Jackson’s memory live on by maximizing the impact of his life.

• Hear why Becky’s determination is her driving factor—want her to walk? She’ll give you a 5K.

• Learn about what’s next for Becky and be inspired by her impact.

00:00 Introduction & Recap of Part 1

00:48 Remembering Jackson

06:49 Familial Determination

16:40 Accepting the Unimaginable

24:02 Never Again: Protecting Future Families

27:22 IVF With Achondroplasia

30:18 Coming Back Stronger Than Ever

35:49 What’s Next for Becky?

37:45 Closing Remarks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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  

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