This guest blog is written by 14-year-old Callum, one of our incredible Harry’s HAT Young Ambassadors. He tells the story of his journey with hydrocephalus, reflects on the challenges he’s faced and the determination that drives him.
In Callum’s own words…
At the age of five years old I had an ear/throat infection, which I was later diagnosed with Lemierre’s disease.
The disease spread to my brain, therefore giving me an acquired brain injury.
This left me to have hydrocephalus.
Over the next few years I had several shunt revisions including: an LP shunt (in my stomach), an EVD (a bag carrying my brain fluid while at hospital), then finally a VP shunt (in my head).
The VP shunt has been by far the most successful of the them, just over three years with no recent admissions.
However, my journey hasn’t been easy.
From five onwards I was constantly in and out of hospital going through countless surgeries.
This meant I missed a large proportion of my early school years, and I have had to adapt at school.
This was because of hearing difficulties, and other problems. However despite this, I still managed to get pretty good results on my SATS.
Now I have started my two year GCSE journey in year 10, and was selected for the higher pathway (9 GCSE’s).
I am hopeful to also receive good grades and have a successful life/career.
