The Morrow family (from left): Joe, Isla, Quaid and Jennifer.
‘We have gotten so much support every World PH Day.’
Jennifer and Joe Morrow of McKinney, Texas have a 12-year-old son Quaid and 9-year-old daughter Isla. They have two dogs, Copper and Stanley. Soon after the family adopted Isla from China, they learned she had pulmonary hypertension (PH). Jennifer says they have a great support system in Texas and through extended family all over the United States.
By Jennifer Morrow
Pulmonary and hypertension are big words. We heard those words when our daughter Isla Grey was two and half years old. We didn’t know what the future would hold for her, but we have had the best support.
Nine-year-old Isla is stable now and attends Hughes Elementary in Prosper, Texas. Each month, the school meets for assemblies called Hughes Huddles, which include music, awards and other activities.
Every year near May 5, the school shows a video about PH to educate students and staff about this rare disease. We have gotten so much support every World PH Day.
Everyone wears purple, decorates hallways and buys Team Isla Grey shirts to raise money for a cure.
This year was no different. We saw a remarkable amount of purple on May 5. Isla loves all the support, which shows that people do care.
In April, the third grade had a market day, where each student had to make a business plan and create an item to sell. Nothing cost more than a dollar, and students brought quarters for their purchases.
The third-class raised $660 in quarters and voted to donate the proceeds to Pulmonary Hypertension Association in support of Team Isla Grey. It absolutely blew us away. It reflected our motto: “Team Isla Grey — our flock fights for a cure!”
Inspired by these third-graders? Submit your story to PHA’s Right Heart Blog. Read more first-person stories from people with PH, caregivers, families and friends.
