In this special episode, John B. Grimes is back with My Hero 360 with a special announcement: his book is being published tomorrow, February 7. In the book, titled “Destiny Is Debatable,” John shares his experience with bacterial meningitis and how it changed the trajectory of his life. He shares lessons learned and offers inspirational advice for people navigating a challenging time in their life.

Watch John’s original episode on My Hero 360 to learn more about his story.

Key Highlights:

• Hear about why John B. Grimes wrote this memoir of his experience with bacterial meningitis and subsequent vision loss.
• Learn how the writing experience was cathartic for John and brought back memories from 28 years ago.
• Be inspired by John's sentiment that living is "an act of defiance” after surviving something so few do.
• Hear how to buy the book and connect more with John.

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Connect with John Grimes:

https://www.instagram.com/johnbgrimes

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbgrimes/

https://x.com/ambblind

Websites:

https://podcast.johnbgrimes.com/

https://destinyisdebatable.com/

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

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In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Cathleen McCabe, an ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon in Florida who runs the nonprofit Sight for Life, which provides eye care for people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In recognition of January’s Glaucoma Awareness Month, Kerri and Dr. McCabe discuss the lasting impacts the organization has had on the Caribbean island over the last 20-plus years, bringing residents impactful treatment and novel innovations, as well as educating the local clinical community that cares for the patients year-round.

Key Highlights:

• Hear about the work Dr. Cathleen McCabe does for Sight for Life.
• Learn more about the impact of glaucoma, which is the second-leading cause of blindness and the “silent thief” of site.
• Hear about ways you can help or get involved iwth Sight for Life.
• Be inspired by the feedback Dr. McCabe has received for her work in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from patients, their families, and local doctors.

Learn more about Sight for Life:

https://sightforlife.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:

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, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Jahkori Dopwell Hall at The Glaucoma Foundation offices in New York City to talk about his experience with primary congenital glaucoma, a progressive vision condition he was diagnosed with at just 6 months old. Jahkori never let his vision challenges interrupt his dream of becoming an artist. Jahkori talks about a teacher who inspired him, the family that supported him, and how he turned his passion into a career.

Key Highlights:

• Hear how Jahkori Dopwell Hall’s family first learned he had glaucoma.
• Learn why Jahkori became interested in art.
• Hear about how Jahkori turned his passion for art into a career and a business venture.

• Be inspired by Jahkori's work with The Glaucoma Foundation, where he serves as an Ambassador and an example of what a young person with glaucoma can accomplish.

Connect with Jahkori Dopwell Hall: https://www.jahkoridopwellhall.org/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mr.jahko https://www.instagram.com/jah_kori/ https://www.youtube.com/@Mr.Jahko_

Learn more about The Glaucoma Foundation: https://glaucomafoundation.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:

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, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Dean Salmon and Stacey Carpenter-Salmon, parents to two children who were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Alagille syndrome. Stacey later found out that she had Alagille syndrome, as well as some extended family members.

Dean and Stacey give advice for other parents and families helping a loved one through a health journey and talk about how impactful it was to find a community of families who could understand this condition first-hand. Dean and Stacey offer important advice to advocate for your loved one and to take time to relish the simple moments with family.

Key Highlights:

• Hear how Dean and Stacey came to learn that their children had Alagille syndrome.
• Learn about how the condition affects Stacey and her two children in very different ways.
• Hear about how Dean and Stacey found a community in the Alagille Syndrome Alliance, connecting with others who could truly understand how their lives have been impacted.
• Be inspired by Dean and Stacey's recommendation to focus on the important people in life rather than “the stuff.”

Learn more about the Cholestatic Liver Disease Summit:

www.liverdiseasesummit.org

Learn more about the Alagille Syndrome Alliance:

https://alagille.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:

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, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Megan Melody, an oncologist at Tampa General Hospital. Filmed at the 2025 Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Melody talks about the types of rare cancers patients can have, how an accurate diagnosis is paramount, and how societies like SOHO advance the research and development of treatment and care for patients affected by cancer.

Key Highlights:

• Hear about the work Dr. Megan Melody does in the oncology field.

• Learn why Dr. Melody supports patients' decision to get a second opinion.

• Hear Dr. Melody’s advice for patients facing a cancer diagnosis.

• Be inspired by the work that Dr. Melody, SOHO, and other clinicians and researchers in the field do to advance patient care and outcomes.

Connect with SOHO:

https://www.sohoonline.org/

https://sohoinsider.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@SocietyofHemOnc

https://www.instagram.com/socofhemonc/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/societyofhemonc

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:

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, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Michelle Hammer, founder and creator of Schizophrenic.NYC. Michelle lives with schizophrenia and uses social media to educate others about mental illness and schizophrenia in particular. Michelle credits her support system, her participation in a college sports team, and a personalized treatment regimen for allowing her to live a full and successful life. A true New Yorker, Michelle uses her voice and platform to advocate for others living with mental illness and implores people to have empathy for those who are homeless in New York City.

Key Highlights:

• • Hear how Michelle Hammer was incorrectly diagnosed before learning she had schizophrenia.
• • Learn how Michelle found stability and support through community and treatment.
• • Hear about Michelle’s creative outlet, her brand Schizophrenic.NYC, which sells merchandise such as T-shirts and pill boxes outfitted with slogans that seek to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

• • Be inspired by Michelle's advocacy for individuals with mental illness and the homeless.

  
  

  Connect with Michelle Hammer:

  https://www.schizophrenic.nyc/

  https://www.instagram.com/schizophrenic.nyc/

  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR5_ez7c5rhC6mIpcs6tAWg

  
  

  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:

  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, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Brittany Brinson, a PICU nurse whose son wound up in her hospital ward due to a rare genetic liver condition called progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis or PFIC. For 3 months after her son Corbin was born, Brittany searched for answers about her son’s health, often dismissed by others in the medical community. After his symptoms worsened and he landed in the hospital with a brain bleed, the family finally got much-needed answers. Brittany shares her family’s story and explains why healthcare workers also need support.

Key Highlights:

• Hear why Brittany Brinson first had concerns about her son’s health.
• Learn about Corbin’s rare genetic liver condition PFIC and the impacts of this condition.
• Hear how connecting with others and speaking at the recent Cholestatic Liver Disease Summit was an important experience for Brittany and her family.
• Be inspired by Brittany’s nonprofit, Moved by Their Compassion, which seeks to provide resources for healthcare providers.

Learn more about Moved by Their Compassion: https://movedbytheircompassion.org/

Learn more about the Cholestatic Liver Disease Summit: www.liverdiseasesummit.org

Learn more about PFIC Network: https://www.pfic.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:

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 of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with two heroes—first, Abbey Cook, the mother of two sons who were misdiagnosed for years, and second, Zach Cook, one of her sons who was just recently diagnosed with the rare genetic condition cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). The Cook family went years without a proper diagnosis, but a new FDA-approved treatment option, coupled with the correct diagnosis, has made a big impact on their life.

My Hero 360 would like to thank the CTX Alliance for their partnership on this interview.

Key Highlights:

• Hear how it took the Cook family over 30 years to get a proper diagnosis of CTX.

• Listen to Abbey’s recommendations for parents or caregivers on how to advocate for a loved one dealing with a health issue.

• Be inspired by Zach’s poem that puts into words how it feels to live with CTX.

• Heed Abbey and Zach’s advice to consider rare diseases during a prolonged health journey.

  
  

Learn more about the CTX Alliance:

https://ctxalliance.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:

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.