Brin Marks

Weeks before my 15th birthday, my journey with PH started.  I never thought the awkward teenage years and starting high school would include such a heavy diagnosis, big conversations, stopping my favourite activities, taking many pills and adjusting to a new life.  However, as much as I heard "you can't do….", I also thought of all the new possibilities, the new adventures and the opportunity to meet new people, which is precisely what happened.  It would have been very easy to be negative, but that's not my nature, and how could I be negative when I have connected with all the amazing people through PHA Canada?  I will admit that when I was diagnosed and kept hearing the word "rare," I felt so alone.  And even though PH is a rare disease, PHA Canada and the PH community have made me feel so welcome and redefined the word "rare" for me.  As an Ambassador, I hope that my journey will bring hope and positivity to other phighters and their families and spread the needed awareness.