Brittany was recently awarded Ronald McDonald House Charities Charlie Bell Scholarship in Subiaco, which will financially support her nursing studies at Curtin University starting next month.
The scholarship offers one-off grants of up to $5000 towards vocational or tertiary studies for children who have experienced serious illness.
Brittany, who suffers from juvenile arthritis, hypermobility and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, was surprised 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 its like, but treating patients isn’t the same as living it.’
Brittany said being cared for by PMH rheumatology liaison nurse Debbie Tunbridge was a major inspiration to study nursing.
‘Debbie takes the time to get to know all her patients,’ she said.
‘Hopefully that’s the kind of nurse I’m going to be.’