VIRTUAL MEETINGS: FAMILY LIFELINES

Robert Tropiano’s 2011 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) diagnosis shook him and his family to its core. But Pulmonary Hypertension Association support groups became a lifeline for the Abingdon, Pennsylvania, family.

Robert and his father — his then-caregiver — found a second family in at least two support groups. “They loved attending those meetings,” says Robert’s sister Ann Benner, who has cared for her brother since 2017 when their father died.

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to isolate from other family and friends, they were thrilled to participate in virtual meetings.

“The opportunity to attend meetings from our kitchen table has been nothing short of magical for both of us,” Ann says. “Robert’s joy was visible on his face. We learn something each time we attend a meeting, but now we can’t learn enough.”

Ann hopes virtual meetings continue after the pandemic. Before the pandemic, getting to meetings and medical appointments in Center City Philadelphia from the suburbs was a hardship. The challenges of distance, time, traffic, parking, juggling a wheelchair, oxygen and medical records were daunting.

“It was a beautiful thing for Robert and me to see and hear so many familiar faces during our virtual support group meetings,” she says.”It meant the world to us.”

The virtual meetings gave Ann a sense of peace and serenity during the pandemic.

“Until the virus struck, our whole family had been busy living and enjoying life. Now Robert, my husband and my son have been isolated from the rest of our family, just like every other family trying to stay safe,” she says. Seeing their support group friends virtually was a regular highlight of their isolation.

Virtual meetings united and supported the pulmonary hypertension community throughout the pandemic, and support groups continue to meet remotely.

Find a support group at PHAssociation.org/supportgroups.