RAISE

The Hydrocephalus Association's Resilience Program

The Hydrocephalus Association RAISE program is a six-module research-informed program intended to help caregivers of children with hydrocephalus build the skills of resilience. It was designed by the University of Pennsylvania's Masters of Applied Positive Psychology Program in collaboration with the Hydrocephalus Association. This program has been specifically designed for you! Participants commit 1 hour and 15 minutes for six consecutive weeks in an interactive, facilitator-led group experience.

Enrollment Criteria: Parent or Primary Caregiver of children ages 0-18 years old with hydrocephalus.

RAISE, resilience Program, hydrocephalus

Sept. 9- Oct. 21, 2026

Sept. 15- Oct. 27, 2026

If the dates listed above don’t fit your schedule, please complete the interest form below so we can email you about any future openings.

Interest Form

HA's Resilience Program

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Meet the Facilitators

Heather Bruen

Hydrocephalus has immersed me in a world filled with uncertainty. This journey is ever-changing, much like the experience of loving, caring for, and advocating for someone living with this condition. It has introduced me to a supportive community of resilient individuals from all parts of the country and beyond, who genuinely care for one another. When I'm not working, taking care of my kids, or volunteering with the Hydrocephalus Association, I enjoy trying new restaurants, going to the gym with my family, and spending time with both new and old friends.

Jennifer Bulthuis

Having a child with hydrocephalus has changed my life in ways I never expected. It’s given me a deeper sense of empathy, patience, and perspective, and has taught me to celebrate progress no matter how small. My son has shown me what true resilience looks like, and because of him, I’ve learned to appreciate life’s little joys - like a heated game of Yahtzee while eating dinner as a family! When my husband and I aren’t busy watching our kids compete in sports, I enjoy summer weekends at the lake, traveling, and playing golf. 

Rhea Flanagan

I was first introduced to hydrocephalus with the birth of my son. I had no idea what it was and learned so much about it within a short span of time. Fast forward 16 years, I feel I have learned so much about hydrocephalus and how to care for my child with the help of the Hydrocephalus Association. I am amazed at the advances of hydrocephalus treatment and new discoveries that help advance the care and understanding of it. My hope is to share some of my knowledge with people who are starting out on this path. I am an educator at heart and love to share knowledge and help people along the way.

Taisha Cameron

I am an actor, podcaster, Zumba instructor, and parent to my daughter who is named after the character from Hamilton the musical). I host and producer of the podcast Hydro Heroes Unite, created in partnership with the Hydrocephalus Association. I’m so fortunate to be able to connect with the hydrocephalus community by sharing their stories along with the expertise of those on their medical care teams. Two things I’m grateful to have learned along this journey is how to be a strong advocate and the depth of her resilience. I love taking Zumba classes as much as I love teaching them, volunteering at my daughter’s school, being an absolute cheese ball with my family & friends, and working on my middle grade novel (is the main character a young girl with hydrocephalus? You bet!)

Sarah McClellan

When my child was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, my world shifted in ways I never expected. Over the years, what began as fear and uncertainty has grown into perseverance and a deeper appreciation for the truly important things in life. Most importantly, this journey connected me to a supportive community of families who understand and uplift one another. When I’m not taxiing my four kids to their many sports events, I enjoy reading, baking, and traveling. I’m looking forward to meeting more members of this wonderful community through the RAISE program!

JP Robles

As a passionate advocate and Father, I really enjoy meeting other families in our hydrocephalus community. My day-to-day job, I work for one of the largest Non-Profit Youth Facing organizations in the country. But in my spare time, I prioritize being available and a voice for our Hydro Families. My wife and I live in the SE region of the US. We have (3) kids ages 7, 4, and 2. It is our middle Child who is our Hydro Warrior. While we had a typical pregnancy, our Hydro Warrior was under duress during birth and suffered a Grade 4 Brain Bleed. Born in early 2021 (during Peak COVID) his symptoms went unnoticed and instead we were sent home about 24 hours after my wife gave birth. He started showing physical symptoms of intracranial pressure with arched back and sun setting eyes, and at 19 days old was shunted. Since then, our whole extended family have been advocates for our hydrocephalus awareness. I have chaired our local HA Walk for the last 5 years, building up our community and meeting with other local families impacted by the condition. I can't wait to share more about my journey as a father and learn more about your families and communities.

This program was inspired by Dr. Brandon Rocque, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Children's of Alabama, who found that parents of children with hydrocephalus experience high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. It is based on the proven fact that resilience can be taught—it’s about building skills. The curriculum was designed by the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Program in collaboration with Dr. Rocque, Tessa van der Willigen (Former member of the HA Board of Directors), Amanda Garzón (Former HA Chief Operations Officer), and Lakisha Harris (HA Director of Support Programs).