The CF Community Blog is written by the community, for the community. It's about sharing our experiences, reflections, and perspectives — the good days, the bad days, and all the tough and wonderful things in between. With topics ranging from emotional health to treatments, the blog is a platform to share your unique story.
![Zanny flexing her bicep which has a PICC line in it](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2024-04/Zanny-Steffgen-Featured-Image.png?h=8abcec71&itok=Fr7k5PvA)
Having an atypical presentation of CF means I stand somewhere between the CF world and the rest of the world — and that makes me feel like I belong in neither.
![A professional headshot of Zanny Steffgen](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2024-04/Zanny-Steffgen-Headshot.png?itok=oD3iLvkp)
![Ruby Steuart selfie with a mask.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2023-10/Ruby-Steuart-2023-NACFC-Plenary-1-Banner.jpg?h=568c2f42&itok=4L-Bl0Rh)
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I felt unrelenting hope watching the first plenary of this year’s North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference. As I learned about progress that has been made in sickle cell disease, and how those learnings may help us develop a genetic therapy for CF, it showed me that the CF community is supporting people like me who can’t take modulators.
![A light-skinned woman with light-colored hair](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2023-10/Ruby-Steuart_0.jpg?itok=X7j3svuI)
![Abigail Gordon sitting in a wheelchair and showing off her pumpkin ostomy pouch cover.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2023-10/Abigail-Gordon-Featured-Image.png?h=b6cb1cc9&itok=pz01Jq17)
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My path to a total colectomy was long and challenging. Now I want to share what I learned about self-advocating for necessary medical care and coping with a surgically created opening on my abdomen called a stoma.
![Abigail sitting outside and smiling with her dog](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2023-10/Abigail-Gordon-Headshot.png?itok=cNW6BsWt)
![Kelcee posing and smiling in her cheerleading uniform](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2023-10/Kelcee-Braden-Featured-Image.png?h=8abcec71&itok=_GLKfosN)
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Growing up, I struggled with wanting to feel “normal” because I was bullied and judged by my peers for my cystic fibrosis. But then I found genuine friendship in college and learned what it means to feel truly supported.
![A headshot of Kelcee Braden in her cheerleading uniform](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2023-10/Kelcee-Braden-Headshot.png?itok=tdyUizkI)
![Julie hiking in the woods and turning around to smile at the camera](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2023-10/Julie-Carel-Featured-Image.png?h=8abcec71&itok=pEE8D-Ph)
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I was recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 67. Although I love my CF care team, I think it will be important for them to understand age-related care in addition to CF care — especially as the CF population ages.
![A headshot of Julie Carel](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2023-10/Julie-Carel-Headshot.png?itok=oNWr0D_2)
![Carolanne holding her baby, Bellamy, and smiling at the camera during a family photoshoot.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2023-10/Carolanne-Cimino-Featured-Image.png?h=8abcec71&itok=4-Caa9et)
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My son’s CF diagnosis created an unexpected challenge while breastfeeding him. But through practice, help from our care team, and support from the CF community, we found the perfect balance to meet his nutritional needs.
![Carolanne Cimino](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2022-12/Carolanne-Cimino-Headshot.png?itok=MugeesiO)
![Anna Faith standing outside a hospital wearing a mask and holding her insulin pump.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2023-09/Anna-Faith-Adair-Featured-Image.png?h=fd900c9f&itok=tv5O-XJe)
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After managing various chronic symptoms my whole life, I was finally diagnosed with CF as an adult. As I struggled to cope with the news, my community rallied around me and taught me what true support looks like.
![Anna Faith wearing a graduation cap and robe.](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2023-09/Anna-Faith-Adair-Headshot.png?itok=1Ks-DvUt)