By now, Pulmonary Hypertension Association members should have received the December issue of Pathlight. We hope our quarterly member magazine stands out among your holiday cards and bills.
The December 2021 issue explores the theme of living with PH. Our inspirational line-up includes stories from people who have made positive changes in their lives since their pulmonary hypertension diagnoses. Those changes include exercise, wellness and creative endeavors, among other lifestyle changes.
Here are a few examples of what you’ll find in this month’s issue:
Our cover story relates the story of a true Champion. Literally. Seventeen years ago, Cindy Champion was dying. But she was determined to overcome her meth addiction and improve her PH prognosis. Today, the Vista, California, resident focuses on making each day count.
In “Finding Hope and Inspiration Among Peers,” Mesha Guilloty relates the PH journey she now realizes began in her teens. Mesha was born in 1991, the same year that four women formed what today is PHA. Mesha, who lives in North Carolina with her husband and daughter, represents Generation Hope, people 18 to 39 with PH.
Marie Smith shares how she felt angry and sorry for herself after her PH diagnosis” After hearing the Goo Goo dolls song “So Alive,” the radiologist nurse from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, realized that she wasting time being miserable.
This issue also explores how hobbies help people manage illness, anxiety and stress. Noel Holly of Orange County, California; Marco Reinoso of Tampa, Florida; Karen Sawyer of Okemos, Michigan; and Kathryn Downey of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; discuss their creative outlets, such as gardening, guitar-playing, painting and crocheting.
Our donor profile describes how Joyce Kossman learned that life doesn’t stop with a PH diagnosis. Joyce retired from her job as an elementary school principal in Connecticut after her pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosis. Since then, she and her husband have moved to Virginia, where she works part-time at a medical school.
In our volunteer profile, Bill O’Donnell shares how has caregiving role has changed in the past 20 years. In “Dialing Back Decision-Making,” he relates his caregiving journey from the time his daughter Shannon was diagnosed in kindergarten through the present.
These stories and other inspiring content are available only in Pathlight magazine, a benefit of your PHA membership. If you’re not a PHA member, join today to enjoy Pathlight, reduced PHA 2022 Conference rates and more. Choose the membership category that is best for you.
By joining at the Supporter, Leadership or Champion level, you support PHA’s patient programs, including PHA educational forums and support groups. To join by phone, call 301-565-3004 x810.
