I had never heard of cystic fibrosis until I received my diagnosis — but learning how to navigate my CF prepared me to advocate for my husband’s medical care and helped me grow as an artist.
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A chance meeting at a CF conference 12 years ago gave me one of the most valuable gifts: my CF Mama friend group. Since then, we’ve invested time in our friendship and supported each other through the laughs and the tears.
Throughout my life with cystic fibrosis, I never thought about the prospect that I would outlive my loved ones. Now that I have attended some of their funerals, the thought of my own mortality has caught up with me.
Hospice care helped my daughter, Desirée, through her final days.
Addressing variability in newborn screening can prevent missed diagnoses and delays in early care intervention.
I began fundraising and raising CF awareness soon after my son, Aidan, was diagnosed as a baby. After years of successful fundraiser walks, Aidan asked me to stop — opening my eyes to the difference between being a mom of someone with CF and being the person who is living with CF.
Raising three kids in daycare often involves runny noses and mystery stains. As a mom with CF, I’ve figured out how to balance our daily lives with keeping me healthy and daycare-germ free.
Dance was my life, but I had to give it up when my health was in decline. I then found a new way to express my creativity through poetry.
As an adult with cystic fibrosis, I know I am blessed to be healthy right now. I find joy in spreading awareness of CF and encouraging others to follow their dreams no matter what.