Dr. Stephen Fletcher, a one of a kind neurosurgeon, has greatly impacted my journey with Hydrocephalus. His father-like personality and vigilance has greatly contributed to making my Hydrocephalus battle easier.

The day I was diagnosed (at 5 1/2 weeks), Dr. Fletcher took me out of my mother's arms and carried me down to the operating room for my first brain surgery. As Hydrocephalus complications suddenly erupted, Dr. Fletcher willingly left baseball games, vacations, and other family outings to come to my rescue.

When decisions of my treatment became a heavy weight on my parent's shoulders, he would always step in and give his perspective as both a physician and a father. When performing my surgeries, he always considers my desire of not shaving my long brunette locks. When I go back for checkups, he would recall previous times of my younger hospital stays like taking my Twin Doll with me to the operating room.

By my teen years, complications became even more complex and the heavy weighted decisions now rested upon my shoulders. Regardless of the decisions I make, he is very supportive. During my hospitalizations, his comical and friendly personality has made recovery easier.

In 2008-2009, during 8 months of complications, Dr.Fletcher explored every option and consulted with another surgeon to ensure that I would receive the best treatment procedure for my predicament.

At 17, I have come to realize that Dr. Fletcher has become my hero, not only for saving my life multiple times but also for being a "fatherly-physician figure" watching out for me in the hospital and assuring I get the best out of my life.