I have faced the continuous need to self-advocate to manage my life with cystic fibrosis, particularly when facing complications post-transplant.
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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.
Since I could remember, my sister shared her CF story to raise awareness, and she inspired me to do the same. Now, with this year's Teen Advocacy Day, we finally get to advocate together.
Having two sons living with cystic fibrosis, I struggled for years with the financial burdens and restrictions of the insurance market. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, I no longer have to worry about lifetime caps and astronomical premiums -- two issues that caused enormous grief for my family.
Living with CF means I quickly became familiar with the patient side of the health care field. My experiences in the hospital have motivated me to become the kind of nurse that listens to and advocates for their patients.