Brooke was born in October 1990. At age two, she was diagnosed with AHC. Brooke copes with the stressors caused by AHC by engaging in several positive activities. For example, she exercises at home daily utilizing her stationary bike, therapy ball, hand weights, and kettle ball. In addition, she goes outside in her backyard and hits wiffle balls off a batting tee. She also enjoys kicking a soccer ball around. During the summer, Brooke’s favorite form of exercise is swimming in her pool…despite it triggering an AHC episode. Brooke wanted to display these pictures on her honorarium page to show how she maintains an active lifestyle.
Additionally, as a dedicated volunteer, Brooke loves to spread kindness and generosity by giving back to the community. She spends most weekday mornings volunteering at daycares, senior centers, libraries, card stores, gift shops, food pantries, schools, TEAM, a local YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the AHC Foundation, and others. Volunteering provides valuable opportunities for Brooke to showcase her well-developed social skills, computer skills, and hardworking attitude. It also provides a variety of teachable moments, allowing her to learn and foster various new skills to enhance her resume further. When Brooke is not volunteering, she partakes in one of her many hobbies, such as cooking, baking, doing crafts, knitting hats, and making bracelets. Brooke possesses a strong desire to be able to do typical activities. Volunteer work and the development of new skills motivate her to continue striving toward her goals and keep an optimistic outlook. Brooke wants to instill that same hope and positivity in other individuals with AHC.
Brooke would like to express her sincere gratitude to all of her family, friends, teachers, paraprofessionals, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, lab technicians, EMTs, personal care assistants, AHC researchers, doctors, and nurses for giving her the ability to live her best life. In addition, she would like to send a special thank you to all of those who have made and continue to make donations to help find a cure for AHC.
Brooke wishes that the doctors would soon find a cure for AHC! Until then, Brooke wants to continue living her life to the fullest!
One thing is for sure…she will not let AHC win!
