Making A Difference Day is Saturday, October 25th. This nationwide day of community service began 20 years ago by USA Weekend Magazine, in collaboration with Points of Light. It is a day when just about anyone can go out and do something to help someone else! Clean up a park. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Visit an elderly neighbor. So many options are out there to do something meaningful for another person. Of course, this is something that should be done daily, but at least there is one day people can share how they've helped a fellow human being.
When the the topic of making a difference was brought up for the PH Plus blog, I immediately thought of something entirely different that I could write about. I must start, however, with a very brief summary of my PH journey for those out there who do not know it. I was born with a congenital heart defect, and by the time it was discovered at 9 months old, I had already developed PAH. So this disease has been my entire life, 39 years of it so far! I was always short of breath growing up, had a blue tinge most of the time on my lips, fingers and toes, and napping was my middle name. At school I was not allowed to take gym or play sports, so when my classmates when to gym, I would help the 1st grade teacher. It was then that I figured out I wanted to become a teacher! Fast forward to years later when I received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. I eventually started teaching in a preschool classroom, which I totally loved! I thought I'd be doing it for a very long time....until those adorable little kids started giving me way too many of their germs. By my third year, and my third major respiratory illness, my primary doctor told me to quit teaching. It was a heartbreaking thing for her to do, and for me to hear, but I was 24 at the time and never thought of quitting a job. So, all of a sudden, I didn't have a purpose. At least, that is how I felt. What was I going to do now that my dream of teaching was pretty much down the tubes??
Enter a phone call from Accredo, one of the specialty pharmacies that supplies PAH medications and support to patients living with pulmonary hypertension. I wasn't really new with Accredo, having been on Tracleer for a couple years since seeing a PH specialist after quitting my job. But I was newly introduced to the idea of starting a support group in my area. It was really overwhelming to me, to be a leader of a group. And a bit terrifying, if I'm going to be honest! I was not a large crowd, people person. I had mostly been a shy person growing up, and even though I broke out of my shell a bit since leaving college, I still was really NOT fond of talking to a group of adults. Kids? Sure! Just not the grown ups!! I told the Accredo advocate that I would definitely have to really think about it. She said that was ok, and to let her know what I thought in a week or two.
I spent about a week talking to my family and friends about the possibility of leading a support group. I prayed about it a lot, wondering what I should do. I mostly was worried about being in front of people, but a part of me thought, come on, just try it. So after a week, I called the Accredo rep back and told her I'd like to try running a support group! It was then that she also got me in touch with the PH Association, and the plans were in the works to find a place to have the first meeting and ways to reach out to those in the area who might like to attend.
My first meeting was in October 2005. I had a small group of people attending, and I was beyond nervous! All I did, though, was introduce myself and share my PH journey. I asked others to share their stories as well, and before I knew it, the 2.5 hours were up! The first meeting was such a success, and everyone thanked me for gathering people together to discuss this illness.They were all in the same boat as me, and none of them knew there were others out there like them, too. I went home and cried a little from happiness, and knowing that I was able to help others!! And then I took a much needed nap!!
In the years since I began a PH support group, I have become more involved in the PH community online as well. I host 2 of the online chats a week, and I am a PH mentor. I also belong to many PH-related groups on Facebook. I try to help anyone who has been diagnosed, including the random calls I get once in awhile from someone who happened to find me online. I was so worried when I had to quit teaching that I would not have a purpose anymore, and yet, I do. I have found my purpose! My "classroom" was not as I imagined it would be, confined to a room with 4 walls. Instead, it's everywhere I can help someone, and educate about this disease!
I am making a difference. I am helping others diagnosed with PH in so many ways. I get thank yous every single time a meeting is over and people start going home. I have gotten emails from totally scared and newly diagnosed patients thanking me for taking the time to respond to their copious amount of questions. I think people who return to chat often means in some way, I've made a difference in their life by being so welcoming and trying to understand and listen to their concerns. In turn, being a support to people has also helped make a huge difference in my life. I don't feel so lost anymore, especially when I've helped a person find answers and I've possibly calmed their fears. I don't feel so alone.
In the spirit of Make a Difference Day, I share my story with many of my phriends who may have lost their purpose since their diagnosis. It is not impossible to find a new story, a new way to help others, even if they don't have PH. There are so many ways to make a difference in a person's life. It just takes a little time to figure out how.
