Back from Florida!

Hey everyone,

So I am back from Florida! Last night our flight kept getting delayed so I didn't get home till about 1:30 AM. Needless to say, I was exhausted. Especially from all the walking around we had done over the course of the week. We went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Sea World and Wonder Works. Wonder Works is kind of like a science center but the building is turned upside, so it is known as the 'Upside Down House'. 

We didn't spend a lot of time in Sea World since it was a down pour constantly and all the rides closed down. In Universal Studios we visited the Comic Book Land, Dr. Suess Land, Comic Strip Land, Jurassic Park land and of course Harry Potter world where we tried their Butter Beer. The shops in Harry Potter world were amazing, but the whole place was crowded so we didn't spend a lot of time there either. 

The conference went really well! I gave my speech about creativity - especially blogging and writing as a coping mechanism. I also performed American Sign Language to music to the song 'Power of One' which went perfectly with the theme of the conference 'The Power of One; From a Kitchen Table to Around the World'. I had so much fun answering questions and meeting people who sat in on my session! 

A lady gave me her business card after my speech and asked me to write a few paragraphs about this years conference for the next edition of a book called 'The PH Patient Survival Guide'! I am so excited to help her with this and to write a few sentences about all the sessions I attended this year! 

Speaking of sessions I attending, I went to a Teen PH Support Group and I sat in on a Low Salt Diet session. In that session we could all ask questions as to how to go about doing a low salt diet, not getting to dehydrated and things like that. 

This conference was amazing and I really enjoyed our stay in Florida! The next conference is in 2 years and it will be in Indiana. I am already excited for it! The did film my speech, and once I get a copy of that - I will post it on here! 

Hope and Love,

Becca 

Florida Trip!

On the 20th of June, I along with my family will be boarding a plane and headed for Florida! Because I was born with a lung disease called Pulmonary Hypertension - we are going to an annual conference that takes place every 2 years and this year it is in Florida! I went to the last conference and I loved it! I got to meet people who had the same thing as me, talk about our experiences and make great friends. (Or in the PH community they are called PHriends.) This  conference to me is a lot like heart camp. We are all dealing with the same thing. We are all understanding and accepting of one another. We may not see each other very often, but when we meet up at the next conference it is like nothing has changed and we are still great friends.  

Along with sitting in on some interesting topics (such as how to live with a low salt diet, which I need to start doing again) I myself will be part of a panel that talks about creativity as a form of coping; specifically writing/blogging. I will also be attending a support group meeting for teens with PH and then later that night I will be going to an after party for PH patients who are between the ages of 20 - 30 to meet, have and just talk. Get to be normal, regular, young adults. And to add to the excitement, my family and I will be visiting Disney World! 

I know it will be hot and sweaty in Florida - but I am so excited! I can't wait for it! I'll make sure to take lots of pictures and share this amazing, uplifting and inspiration event with you all when I get back!

Hope and Love,

Becca 

Good and Bad News

Hi Everyone,

So I have some good news and some bad news. I'll start with the bad news that way we can end on a happy note. =D 

Lately I have not been feeling very well. I am tired, coughing constantly, short of breath and just all around - not feeling at my best. We have gone to the doctor twice now and each time they said that my lungs sounded fine. We took an X-Ray and they said that looked good too. So I got an ECHO yesterday, just to make sure that the function of my heart is doing okay. The doctor who looked at it said nothing stood out as worrisome so that is nice, but it still doesn't give us any answers. I am on some steroids to help, but so far I still don't feel very good. I have missed several days of math class - so I have withdrawn from that class. However, I am still in my biology class, English and Psychology and I am doing well in all of those classes. 

Now for the good news. A few months ago, I heard on the radio an advertisement for a non-profit organization asking for speakers to talk to kids about their experiences with bullying. I heard back from the woman today and I had a phone interview just a few minutes ago. I talked to her about growing up with my congenital heart defect, being bullied and even just the snide remarks strangers make because they don't understand why someone who looks so healthy can't even walk up a flight of stairs. Nothing is for sure yet, but the woman I spoke to said she loved my story and that she would leave a note for her supervisor to contact me within the next two months or so. She said that at that time they may not have an opening for me to fill but they would make sure to keep me on file for when they needed another speaker. She also told me that if I were to get the position, I would have to go to training twice a week for about four to six weeks then after that I would give a speech once or twice a month; I would get paid for this including the time spent in training. I am so excited and I can't wait to hear back from the woman!!!

Hope and Love, 

Becca