Marcio

My name is Marcio. I was born with hydrocephalus, which was diagnosed before I was born. I have faced many challenges throughout my life.  

The first barrier arose the moment I was born. An urgent operation was needed, but living in Brazil, my family did not have enough money to cover the cost of the equipment and surgery, which was a sad reality. My parents fought to ensure I could receive treatment, and my mother closely followed my development and milestones.  

I took a long time to walk and talk. For most people, milestones like their first steps are recorded at home, but my first steps were taken in a physical therapy (PT) clinic, with the help of a healthcare professional.  My first words were also seen in a clinical setting, stimulated and supported by a speech therapist, who still assists me with words today. I am dyslexic, and writing is a complicated means of communication for me, but it is through writing that I can share my life story. 

During my youth, hydrocephalus was a constant companion. I was not allowed to practice or play sports growing up due to the fear of having an epileptic seizure. I was also told sports could affect my shunt, so it was advised I avoid joining any sports activities.  

Unfortunately, this led to me living in fear of having fun. I was also bullied for the way I walked and talked. The lack of accessibility to education in Brazil also did not help with proper inclusion for children with chronic conditions or disabilities.

Despite these barriers to my neurodevelopment, I have achieved great goals. Today, I practice sports; I do Brazilian jiu-jitsu and hold a brown belt. I became a university student and I am now a medical student, with the hope of helping people with conditions similar to mine in the future. My goal is to deliver all the compassion that has been given to me since my birth. 

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Tell us about your journey with hydrocephalus!

Share your story of hope and perseverance with us! We will feature the amazing individuals in our community who are living life to the fullest regardless of their condition! Stories are reviewed by our staff and posted on our website and through social media. Stories should be no more than 800 words long. Click here to submit your story today!

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