Stacie Pridden suffers from Pulmonary Hypertension
Lyneham teenager Stacie Pridden is juggling her GCSE revision this week in order to raise awareness of the potentially fatal disease she has lived with since
birth.
The 16-year-old, of Britannia Crescent, has made a film with the help of documentary maker Alan Howard describing the disease and the impact it has had on her life.
But far from basking in the celebrity of her own documentary film, Stacie is keeping her head down studying hard for her exams.
She is one of just 4,000 people across the UK whose life has been affected by Pulmonary Hypertension.
Remarkably her twin sister Megan is a picture of health having never shown any signs of the illness.
Pulmonary Hypertension, or PH, is a disease in which blood pressure in arteries in the lungs increases, putting pressure on the heart.
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It reduces the amount of oxygen that is able to reach the tissues of the body, causing sufferers like Stacie to get out of breath and exhausted.
Before the Wootton Bassett School pupil was diagnosed five years ago, life was a constant trial of colds, chest infections, pneumonia, fainting attacks,
dizziness, antibiotics and operations.
Stacie said: "I can remember the first time I thought something was wrong when I went to walk up the stairs at school and fainted.
"It kept happening whenever I tried to climb the stairs and always in front of loads of people. It was really embarrassing."
Ten years after Stacie and Megan were born doctors realised Stacie had two holes in her heart and needed immediate surgery.
After she was diagnosed doctors took her in for an atrial septostomy, a process which sees a 7mm hole cut in the heart using a catheter.
This helps filter the blood in order to keep the oxygenated cells pumping around her body.
The teenager's daily routine is far from normal with a morning blood test an essential part of preparing for school.
In the evenings Stacie has to take medication and use an oxygen mask while she unwinds from her busy day.
Sadly, because of her condition Stacie has had to give up her favourite school subject, PE. At one time the teenager was a popular choice to represent her class in the 100-meter race for sports day.
Five years on Stacie, like other girls her age, is now immersed in GCSE revision and prom dresses as she prepares for the end of school.
She said: "It's a shame I can't really take part in PE now but all my mates understand and I suppose in a way I get out of sport in the winter when it's cold.
"I don't really know what I am going to do after school yet but the best thing now is to concentrate on my exams.
"I have been revising, and my dad's offer of a cash reward is definitely an incentive.
Proud dad Tony Pridden says Stacie's diagnosis was the best thing to happen to the family. He said: "Knowing your child is ill but not knowing the cause is a real nightmare so when Stacie was finally diagnosed at least we knew what we were dealing with.
"This is why awareness is so important. There must have been people that have died and it has been written off as a heart attack when in fact if it had been recognised as PH they could have been saved.
"She can do 90 per cent of what most girls her age can do and she doesn't get hung up on the ten per cent she can't do."
Stacie's film, along with 11 others, is available to watch via PHA-UK's website www.pha-uk.com
Warning signs of PH
Breathlessness
Dizziness
Blue tinged lips, ears or nose.
Posted by: Louise Pennewell, Lawrence, KS on 8:55pm Sat 28 Apr 07
You go girl! I am impressed with your drive and ambition. Hope you continue to improve in health. I have PH too, and it is something to live with. My best to you!
You go girl! I am impressed with your drive and ambition. Hope you continue to improve in health. I have PH too, and it is something to live with. My best to you!
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