The 17-year-old was recently awarded the Ronald McDonald House Charities Charlie Bell Scholarship, which will help her fund the studies she will begin at Curtin University this month.
The scholarship offers one-off grants of up to $5000 towards study costs for children who have experienced serious illness.
Brittany, who suffers from juvenile arthritis, hypermobility and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, said it was a ‘massive surprise’ to be chosen.
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READ NOW‘When I applied, I didn’t think much of it because I knew there are so many kids who deal with things worse than me,’ she said.
‘The pain affects me a little every day, but I had to learn very early on to deal with it.
‘As a nurse, I would like to give something back and help other kids cope. Doctors have told me they understand what it’s like, but treating patients isn’t the same as living it.’
Brittany said being cared for by PMH rheumatology liaison nurse Debbie Turnbridge was a major inspiration for her choice to study nursing.
‘Debbie takes the time to get to know all her patients, not just as a patient but as a person,’ she said.
‘Hopefully, that’s the kind of nurse I’m going to be.’