Lisa Laughlin was terrified after her husband Michael fell and passed out in 2017. He had been short of breath for more than a year and no longer had energy for his nightly walks. His diagnosis of a disease they’d never heard of was equally frightening.
Rosemary Graham, of Atlanta, Georgia, is a long-time advocate for people with rare and chronic diseases. She was diagnosed in 2012 with pulmonary hypertension (PH) related to lupus, pulmonary fibrosis and sleep apnea. This is her story.
Aisha Woods Zarb-Cousin lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband Adam, her 13-year-old stepdaughter Zion, and their dog Zoe. She retired from the Air Force in 2010 after seven years of active duty service. This is her story.
“Processing my diagnosis alone in the NICU was rough. I didn’t really understand the gravity of it all. It didn’t feel real.” Amy Dolan, 30, lives in western Rhode Island with her husband and four children, Gehrig, Eila, Finley and Theodore. Before her pulmonary hypertension diagnosis, she worked in administration for an
I was told I would never see my childhood years, but I defeated that. Over time, I developed the nickname “Bones.” When my weight hit 100 pounds, my family celebrated. I was told that I would never see my teenage years, but I defeated that, too. I was told I would never get to see my adulthood. I’m now 36.
“I wanted to give up, but with lots of prayers and faith, I eventually started improving.” By Lorraine Polston Lorraine Polston of Amarillo, Texas, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in 2001. A registered nurse since 1992, she and her husband have three sons and five stepdaughters. This is her
“I have a long road ahead of me, but one day at a time, right?” Jenny Phillips, 52, lives in Woodridge, Illinois. She has a sister, two brothers (including her twin) and nieces and nephews. An army veteran, she has been a dispatcher for the Illinois State Police for 17 years. She
Samuel Hall’s pulmonary hypertension (PH) developed nearly a decade after he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. The inflammatory disease can affect many organs but often causes lung issues and shortness of breath on exertion. Samuel, the inventor of the O2 Safety Strap, considers himself a sarcoidosis warrior. The Springfield, Missouri, resident talks to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) to mark Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.
“My mom taught me many things, but one thing in particular I want to share with all the PHighters...Sometimes the road may get tough, but darling, you are tougher!” By Ranolene Pillay Ranolene Rhissa Pillay, 24, lives in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, with her dad, brothers, sister and their lab Reigns. She
“PH wasn’t her identity. Although she was open about having this condition, it never once held her back.”
