Hannah Brammer, 13, seen here in her room, has osteogenesis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease. Courtesy photo

Seven years ago, an assignment editor at my former employer WJZ-TV in Baltimore handed me a news release from Best Buy. It announced that it was giving a young girl living with a disability a customized pink computer. The story had undertones of a publicity stunt, and I was skeptical. But by the end of the day, I understood why workers at that store went the extra mile for a marvelous young girl.

Hannah Brammer’s laugh is completely infectious. When she spoke, workers at that Best Buy lit up with smiles. When she graciously thanked them for a computer in her favorite color, they fought back tears.

I had never before encountered someone living with osteogenesis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease. It’s a genetic disorder, where bones fracture for little or no apparent reason. During her short life, Hannah has broken more than 126 bones.

Reuniting with Hannah for a segment airing Monday, I still imagined her as that little girl. But now she’s much like any other 13-year-old. Her bedroom is plastered with posters of celebrities. She loves to talk about shopping and doing her nails. She's constantly texting friends. Hannah confessed that she has dreams about boys, something her mother did not know until our interview.

But there was an uncomfortable moment during our latest chat. We were talking about her hopes for the future, and Hannah choked up. Now that Hannah’s a teenager, she may be coming to terms with certain things for the first time, her mother later explained.