Along with experiencing the typical emotions every parent has when their kids start school, I've also had to teach my son, Maddox, to take responsibility for his cystic fibrosis.
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I am both excited and scared that my son will be old enough to try Trikafta when he turns 12 later this year. In some ways, I can hardly wait to see how he will benefit. But I also know that he might experience side effects, and I don't want him to have any setbacks.
Learning to loosen the reins a little as my daughter has become an independent teen has been challenging, but any fears I feel have been tempered by watching her grow as a human being.
I want my daughter to be prepared for the world when she grows up, and that includes taking charge of her CF. She is only 4 years old, but it's never too early to get her ready to take on her CF care by herself.
My son who has cystic fibrosis required extensive treatment as a toddler, which I believe had a traumatic effect on his mental health. With the help of therapy, I have helped him learn how to self-advocate and use coping strategies for his anxiety, starting when he was just 4 years old.
Being on coronavirus lockdown has taught me to lower my expectations and be grateful for being able to be with my family.
It's difficult to manage cystic fibrosis self-care when you have a child with a disability. Don't pressure yourself to be like other moms. Just do the best you can. Your kids will value your efforts.
Medical procedures -- even simple ones -- can be scary for a child. When your child has cystic fibrosis, managing the fear surrounding these necessary treatments can be daunting, but my husband and I have instituted five rules that seem to help.
I used to feel as if I was failing in my child's cystic fibrosis care. Here's how I learned to let these feelings go.
Although it's painful, my commitment to the military in Afghanistan will help me honor my commitment to keeping my son, Cohen -- and the rest of my kids -- healthy.