ABOUT ME

In September, 1983, a whopper baby girl was born. Tricia Hunter weighed in at 10 pounds, 6 ounces, not bad for a girl! I wasn't your average baby. I was born with Hemangio-lymphangioma, an anomaly in the lymph glands. My chin was abnormally large and my tongue was thick and long. I lived in the hospital for the first five months of my life. My parents and two older brothers faithfully came every day to take care of me.

"Don't regret what might have been. Accept what is and rejoice in what is yet to be." Beth Mende Conny

 Me at 3yrs Me at 3 years

North Cove North Cove, Thetis Island (Home Sweet Home)

I grew up on Thetis Island a small gulf island with a mere 350 residents. The Hunter family was one of the first families to live on Thetis, dating back to 1891. I attended the island's one room school where I was always treated respectfully by my peers. They accepted me for the person I am and never rejected me because of my outward appearance. Growing up within a small caring community helped me to accept myself and played a large role in building my self-esteem. I knew my family and friends on Thetis loved me for who I was on the inside and this was a great boost to my self confidence. I never felt like hiding from the world. When I went off-island I was often stared at and heard rude remarks whispered behind my back. I refused to allow those looks and remarks get to me. I am a unique individual. I am one of a kind, and I'm proud of it!

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt


To date I have had twenty-four craniofacial and dental surgeries. Many surgeries took place in Dallas, Texas, and while there, I became accustomed to hospital procedures and treatments. I've had CT Scans, MRI's, nose tubes, a tracheostomy for 8yrs, a gastrostomy for 2yrs, and I've had more x-rays, needles and IV's than I care to remember. These experiences have enabled me to develop a sense of caring and to take initiative to help others around me. I personally know the difference a kind, caring and positive attitude can make.

"A happy person is not someone in a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes." Hugh Down

Surgery in Dallas, Texas Recovering from Surgery -Dallas, Texas 1990


Alternator in Car Changing the alternator in my friend's car

I rode the ferry twice a day to attend Chemainus Secondary School. I enjoyed playing on several sport teams throughout my high school years. It provided a wonderful way to interact with others and not isolate myself. I graduated with honors in 2002 and took a year off to work and recover from my final craniofacial surgery. I moved to Nanaimo to study Early Childhood Education and Care for two years at Malaspina University-College. Shortly after graduating I bought a house there and began major renovations in the basement. For several years I was self employed, following in my dad’s foot steps as a jack of all trades. I do various jobs including construction, roofing, renovations, falling trees and splitting firewood, mechanical work and mowing lawns. I also operate my own business, Hunter Studio . I do some photography and filming of weddings and special events as well as digital slideshows.

I created a digital slideshow of my life, complete with photos, background music, quotes and captions. My childhood dream was to one day travel around to schools and share my life story. During the past year that dream has become reality as I have toured in Canada and Venezuela sharing the message that nothing in life is too hard to handle. By staying positive and believing in yourself, life can be great no matter what obstacles you may face along the way! I am currently living in Devon, Alberta and am enjoying this new direction my life has taken.

"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open." Jawharial Nehru


I enjoy spending time at the beach, out boating and water skiing in the summer months and dirt biking through the trails on Thetis. I also like playing different musical instruments by ear and have started recording some tunes of my own in recent years. Spending time with family and friends is something I treasure. I enjoy taking trips to Ontario to visit family and friends whenever I get the chance. I consider myself a conscientious, hard working, active individual who has used my obstacles to grow and develop my personality and skills. Life has shown me that beauty is only skin deep. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. God has made me unique and I want to use the talents He’s given me to make the world a better place.

"Try not to become a person of success, but rather a person of value." Beth Mende Conny

Me at beach Enjoying the sunset at North Cove


Home