Shortly after my fiancée, Ashley, told me about her cystic fibrosis, we were engaged. Months later, she passed away, leaving me to figure out what I could have done differently and how to cope.
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Although it took me a while to gravitate toward yoga, I have found that it really helps me manage my mental and physical health. In honor of International Yoga Day on June 21, I share the benefits of practicing yoga and demonstrate my favorite upper body stretches.
Burkholderia cepacia took a toll on me physically, but overcoming the emotional blow was even more difficult.
I never imagined that I would see cystic fibrosis as something to be grateful for. But now, in my 23rd year of life, I am thankful that CF has allowed me to open up about my struggles through spoken word poetry and find freedom in shared humanity.
For the longest time, I did all I could to deny that I had cystic fibrosis. Eventually I came to own my CF.
How much are you willing to do for a loved one? The answer is simple: anything and everything, right? We advocate for them, make sacrifices to be with them and worry about them constantly. Last year I did all of this, but -- somehow -- still felt pangs of guilt.
Growing up, the term “life expectancy” was always with me, affecting my choices and expectations. Over time, I learned to tune it out and live my life my way.
Caring for anyone with a long-term disease — especially if that person is your child — is stressful. Parents of children with cystic fibrosis are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or both compared to parents in general.
I struggled with my health for years until I was diagnosed with CF at the age of 19. After starting treatments, my physical health improved greatly, yet the scars on my mental health remain.
As a black man with cystic fibrosis, I am in a minority group within a minority group. I waited my whole life to find someone I could easily relate to until I happened upon a Facebook group for post-transplant patients.