This year, I'm planning a big, beautiful queer wedding with my fiancée, Ali. Even though I felt conflicted about bringing Ali into a life with CF, she stayed by my side through some of the hardest challenges I've ever faced.
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When I met my husband, who has cystic fibrosis, he was listed for a double-lung transplant. I thought I was prepared for that. I wasn't.
It might seem strange but for someone with cystic fibrosis, something as simple as a mammogram can spark joy. It means that I have lived long enough to have reach this preventive care milestone, and that is something to celebrate.
I remember the first time that I understood that cystic fibrosis made me different.
With COVID-19, a year indoors -- and online -- has brought up a familiar feeling that screen time has the potential to bring us hope and laughter. On the other hand, the internet can also convince us that the sky is falling.
As some people's pandemic fears subside and businesses start to reopen in parts of the U.S., people with cystic fibrosis like me are maintaining their social distance. We still need to be extra cautious because of the threat COVID-19 poses to people with an underlying condition.
Losing my best friend and cystic fibrosis mentor was crushing. I had to learn to let myself grieve -- and do it offline -- to be able to cope with this loss.
Despite my diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, I show no symptoms and have an above-average FEV₁. I struggle more with survivor's guilt than I do with this disease.
Although cystic fibrosis sidelined my pursuit of sports, it created space to develop other interests and laid the groundwork for a career in music.
Thanks to COVID-19, a work furlough forced me to slow down the pace of my life and I'm okay with that. Here's how I've let go of needing to be productive during this time.