As we enter into the warm summer months, I wanted to
introduce myself as PHA’s summer intern in the Patient and Caregiver Services
branch. The summer time is my first and foremost favorite time of the year, not
just because I break from school, but because every day I feel rejuvenated by
the warm air and happier with the sun shining.
A few years ago I read this quote and since has been my life motto, to
“Always bring your own
sunshine.”
I know for some, being in the sun can cause irritation
and the time spent under the sun’s rays for others their summer might not even
be all that sunny, for me, living in D.C. we have thunderstorms lined up every
day of the week. Regardless of the weather, I try to find a little bit of
sunshine in everything I do. I had made a post on the Facebook group asking
what some of your summer plans are to be this summer, whether you are
vacationing, spending time with friends, involving yourself in certain camps or
groups, etc.
Kevin Mayhood – Paskawych
shares his summer plans saying, “I have a slogan and its ‘if I can do
it, you can do it’ and I keep trying to push myself to attempt new things,
despite this. I am 32, I was diagnosed in 2012, and I have IPAH currently,
although there is a thought that we may have an idea as to a potential
associative disease. I am spending my summer in my hometown of Marietta, Ohio,
but it doesn't mean I am not excited. When I was going through my diagnostic
process, I needed something to keep my mind off of everything, so I jumped into
an idea a friend, and fellow theatre professional, had about starting a
professional summer theatre company in Marietta. So, we formed a group, and
over the last two years built up what we needed to pull it off”. (Mayhood-Paskawych).
Kia Thompson-Allen who is 39 and was diagnosed with PAH in
2007, tells us this summer she will be, “keeping my 8 year old busy, taking him
to St. Louis to six flags and the zoo there”. Kia recommends staying in the water
parks to stay cool, plus drinking icy beverages and finding shade when you
can. Kia explains, “you know it's hard
on us PH'ers in the heat, plus my son being a severe asthmatic heat isn't good,
so most activities we plan are indoors: library, Chuck E. Cheese, and an indoor
trampoline facility; all those places are air conditioned and ways to have fun and stay cool for us”!
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| Kristine and family at Detroit Zoo |
We love hearing from all of you and your plans
for this season. Sometimes the heat can be intimidating to get outside and have
fun, but there are many ways to stay cool and still enjoy yourself. I hope you
all can find a little bit of sunshine in each part of your day
