In my 25 years, I have always looked at things like this: strive to make the world a more loving and positive place, treat others with kindness and empathy, and look at my cystic fibrosis as a blessing in disguise, not a curse.

I know that this is a very difficult and maybe upsetting stance to have, but there is a reason I think this way. I see that most people who are in their late teens, early 20s, and even 30s are self-centered and believe themselves to be indestructible. For me, though, every action I take has consequences that could help me or harm me.

Do I take a drag of the cigarette offered by a friend? Do I skip my treatments because I feel fine? Do I take unnecessary risks because I want to do something my way and nobody else matters? No.

With all these thoughts swirling in my head, I have to think about what my actions could lead to. I have to consider all the people around me who have supported me all this time and how it would affect them, and I have to think about my future -- what, within my limitations, do I want it to be like?

To lay down the facts, I was born three months early, barely breathing and needing to be put on a respirator. I had to have surgery to fix my fused and tangled intestines that prevented me from having my first bowel movement; that left a deep, permanent scar in my belly. I had a blood infection and I was on a pulse/oxygen monitor. Over the years, I also had to deal with the twists and turns my prematurity caused -- motor skill issues, and having to do the routine care of percussors and albuterol treatments to help me grow and be healthy.

To many people, this is something that would bring them down a good amount; something that would maybe make them give up at an early age and just meander through life. For me, all that hardship and coming out healthy on the other side has strengthened my resolve.

Any anger or bitterness I may have had at my lot in life has, instead, been transformed into empathy toward others and kindness and a driving determination to prove the statistics wrong and live a long and healthy life.

Are there difficult days? Yes.
Am I the best at getting everything done that I need to do? No.
Are there days where I just feel really run down and depressed because of the complexities associated with this disease? Yes.
Does cystic fibrosis control me? No.
Am I stronger than my CF? Absolutely. And I vow to never give in to it and have it be my sole identity.

CF may be part of my life down to the cellular level. But, I find deep in myself the desire to raise awareness and share my experiences about what the disease is like with others, which gives me that extra incentive to power through. The statistical data is not always right, so I am continuing to fight harder and stronger to reach the goals I want and to live my life to its amazing fullest, just like everyone else.

Interested in sharing your story? The CF Community Blog wants to hear from you.