Blog

Advocacy is impactful at all ages, but the term can sound intimidating. It implies effort, time, commitment, politics, and publicity. As a 30-year-old with cystic fibrosis, I am currently an active member of the CF community, but I was not always aware of the benefits, power, and impact of advocacy.

Growing up, I always tried to stay active, but it wasn’t until I was hospitalized that I decided martial arts would be the outlet to keep me healthy and boost my confidence.

My wife and I knew that following our dream of having children would be difficult, but we would do whatever it takes to grow our family. Despite the challenges we’ve experienced on our in-vitro fertilization (IVF) journey, we will continue to fight to make our dream a reality.

We’re highlighting three creators who are helping raise cystic fibrosis awareness. They’re voicing the variety of ways that people experience the disease by sharing a part of their life through their works.

Although I admired bodybuilders when I was growing up, I thought pumping iron and building muscle was impossible with cystic fibrosis — so I didn’t even try. After a hospitalization, my passion for fitness was rekindled and I discovered I could build muscle mass and improve my health.

Since my daughter, Kinley’s, cystic fibrosis diagnosis, I have come to rely on her care team. We have become a true team in Kinley’s care.