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)
![Rick-Stevens-Fire-Fighter-Featured-Rectangle](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2021-09/Rick-Stevens-Fire-Fighter-Featured-Rectangle.jpg?itok=mwoEk0Gv)
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Because I have cystic fibrosis, people are often shocked when I tell them that I'm a fire chief and an in-flight paramedic. Although the road has been difficult, I am driven to test my potential and fulfill my dreams.
![Rick-Stevens-Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2021-09/Rick-Stevens-Headshot.jpg?itok=KahfBQA7)
![Willem-Wery-Wife-Featured-Rectangle](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2021-09/Willem-Wery-Wife-Featured-Rectangle.jpg?itok=CmqSKjPs)
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Throughout my 31-year-long career, I kept my cystic fibrosis a secret. Let me tell you why.
![Willem-Wery-Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2021-09/Willem-Wery-Headshot.jpg?itok=fU5g6d_R)
![Chad-Lucci-Group-Feautured-rectangle](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2021-10/Chad-Lucci-Group-Feautured-rectangle.jpg?itok=ojauZgIC)
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I gravitated toward a career in health care almost without thinking about it. It has been rewarding, but it has cost me too.
![Chad-Lucci-Headshot-Square](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2021-09/Chad-Lucci-Headshot-Square.jpg?itok=BxDI8g3R)
![Jenny-Stump-Apple-Books-Featured-Rectangle](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2021-10/Jenny-Stump-Apple-Books-Featured-Rectangle.jpg?itok=q0_qjmqh)
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As a teacher with cystic fibrosis, I find it no surprise that heading back to school can be a shock to my system. But over the years, I've learned that if I can remember three main things, I can stay healthy through the transition back to school.
![Jennifer-Stump-Updated-Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2021-09/Jennifer-Stump-Updated-Headshot.jpg?itok=IVM7ERXH)
![Rich-DeNagel-Hat-rectangle](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2021-10/Rich-DeNagel-Hat-rectangle.jpg?itok=POcSEyd0)
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When I ran into a particularly difficult situation with my last job, the “d” word entered my lexicon for the first time: disability. While my life doesn't look like I thought it would, I have come to accept where I am and gained a new perspective on work and life.
![Rich-DeNagel](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2021-09/1009849_10201364288540805_1459005329_n.jpg?itok=ssxelb8D)
![Katie-K-Pen-Paper](/sites/default/files/styles/image_card/public/2021-10/Katie-K-Pen-Paper.jpg?itok=NkgrJNku)
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After leaving a job where all of my colleagues knew that I have CF, I've chosen to stay guarded in my new work environment and not take the risk of telling anyone about CF, including my superiors.
![Katie-K-headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/author_thumbnail/public/2021-09/Katie-K-headshot.jpg?itok=-4LW9Ka3)