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.
Bonnie Patricelli memorializes her son Ryan Juntti through her volunteer work for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). She and Ryan revived PHA’s South Jersey Support Group in 2008, and she continues to co-lead the group since Ryan’s 2015 death. Bonnie’s story appears in the fall issue of Pathlight, PHA’s quarterly member magazine.
The Liu family was vacationing in the Netherlands in 2012 when their 2-year-old daughter, Esther, had a heart attack. Two days later, she was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, with an unknown cause. Since then, she has received a double lung transplant and travels all over the world with her mother Michelle, a physician and Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) board member, to share their PH journey. Dr. Liu, shares that story as part of PHA’s fall fundraising campaign.
Becoming a support group leader has added meaning to Les Freeman’s life. The former teacher says being a support group leader is much like preparing lessons: He tries to blend education along with socialization. Les, who leads the Central Oregon PHA Support Group with his wife Michele, shares his story with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s Right Heart Blog.
Dean was diagnosed with scleroderma in 1997 and pulmonary arterial hypertension in March 2016. Georgette, Dean’s advocate and caretaker, shared their story with the Right Heart Blog.
Debbie Kittel recently started a Pulmonary Hypertension Association support group at The Ohio State University, where she is the PAH nursing program manager. “I am proud of how big the group has grown and how quickly it has taken off.”
Debra Gonzales, 66, is a just a year into her pulmonary hypertension journey. After a recent doctor visit, she learned her arterial pressure had declined and her heart function had improved. Her pulmonary arterial hypertension doesn’t stop her from spending time with her daughter, mother-in-law, friends and her dog in Redondo Beach, California.
As an intensive care pediatrician, Chandani Dezure, M.D., treats critically ill children. After one son was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, Dr. Dezure became a caregiver herself. She shares how her son's PH helped her become a better doctor. Her story appeared in the June 2022 issue of Pathlight.
Doctors weren’t sure Lillian Cooke would survive the night they discovered her pulmonary arterial hypertension. Three years later, the stay-at-home mom spends time with family and friends, painting, playing video games and listening to music.” I hope my story gives someone else hope,” Lillian writes in the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s Right Heart Blog. “I will never lose hope, and I’m going to keep fighting until my last breath.”
Pam Vinesett of North Carolina served three years of active duty and 17 years in the army reserves. The mother of seven and grandmother of eight enjoys swimming, fishing and tubing with her husband. In 2014, she noticed shortness of breath and other pulmonary hypertension symptoms. Since her eventual diagnosis and other health challenges, she is doing well and teaches four to six Zumba classes a week.
