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Right Heart Blog

The PHA community is a network of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences living their best lives. PHA highlights those experiences through inspiring first-person stories in our Right Heart Blog.

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PH Community Stories

Dislaying 19 — 27 of 169
  • PH and Pageantry: Taking the Stage for Awareness and Self Advocacy

    Elise Firestone, the reigning Miss Connecticut for America Strong, has competed in pageants and fitness and dance competitions for many years. In addition to competing, she is a sales representative for Bausch and Lomb and has a 9-year-old daughter. Firestone, 42, was diagnosed in 2002 with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and raises PH awareness through competitions.

  • Ensuring Government Serves the People

    Amy Burant of Denver has used supplementary oxygen since 2012 and liquid oxygen since 2015 for her pulmonary arterial hypertension. Her background as an intensive care nurse has helped her advocate for herself and people with lung diseases.

  • Learning To Live in the Moment in Oregon ElizabethFreyr1000x400
    Learning To Live in the Moment in Oregon

    Elizabeth Freyr was born with a congenital heart defect in 1991. Thirty years later, she learned she had pulmonary arterial hypertension. Since her PH diagnosis, she’s learned to be courageous, live in the moment and put herself first.

  • Content Creator Exceeds Expectations to Thrive at 30 Download this page as a PDF
    Content Creator Exceeds Expectations to Thrive at 30

    Amy Earnest was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension shortly after she was born in 1994. Since then, she’s learned the importance of choosing the right doctor and advocating for herself. Earnest, of East Moline, Illinois, shares her story to spread awareness and connect with others. ‘I know I’m here for a purpose and want to live every day to the fullest.’

  • Preparing for the Unpredictable Download this page as a PDF
    Preparing for the Unpredictable

    RoxAnna Blackwell of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, (pictured center) is an educator and mother of one son. Blackwell enjoys spending time with family and friends, good food and traveling. She originally shared her Hurricane Helene experience in Pathlight, PHA’s quarterly member magazine.

  • Blogger Advocates for Diagnosis After Frequent Fainting Spells

    Jenna Olitsky of Orange County, California, began blogging about health and travel after she was diagnosed with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia-related pulmonary hypertension. She shares her diagnosis journey during HHT Awareness Month.

    Diagnosis & treatment

  • Support Group Leader Finds Silver Linings Download this page as a PDF
    Support Group Leader Finds Silver Linings

    Rachel Gabbert Roberts was 30 when she was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2010. Since then, she has learned to listen to her body and have a positive outlook on life.

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