Our hearts stopped when we first heard that our grandson, Jase, had cystic fibrosis. We didn't even know what it was. However, we have learned a lot along the way and have gotten used to rolling with the ups and downs of this disease.
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When the pandemic started, I started to feel lost and disconnected. That changed when I was introduced to a new program from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that taught me how to share my CF story with confidence.
After I had to go on disability to focus on taking care of my health, I got involved with the CF community and volunteered with Community Voice. Little did I know it would help me when I needed it most.
Although I had heard of cystic fibrosis, I never knew anything about the disease until a chance meeting with a member of the CF community during a networking event. Since then, I have provided donations to CF events and am in awe of the determination and attitude that people with CF have about life.
I have always been very interested in science, eventually leading to my career as a genomic scientist. My curiosity helped me cope with the uncertainties of cystic fibrosis, leading me to many academic, professional, and personal opportunities that gave me a more expansive view of how my different roles and identities can build upon one another.