I had never heard of cystic fibrosis until I received my diagnosis — but learning how to navigate my CF prepared me to advocate for my husband’s medical care and helped me grow as an artist.
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A chance meeting at a CF conference 12 years ago gave me one of the most valuable gifts: my CF Mama friend group. Since then, we’ve invested time in our friendship and supported each other through the laughs and the tears.
Throughout my life with cystic fibrosis, I never thought about the prospect that I would outlive my loved ones. Now that I have attended some of their funerals, the thought of my own mortality has caught up with me.
Hospice care helped my daughter, Desirée, through her final days.
Addressing variability in newborn screening can prevent missed diagnoses and delays in early care intervention.
I began fundraising and raising CF awareness soon after my son, Aidan, was diagnosed as a baby. After years of successful fundraiser walks, Aidan asked me to stop — opening my eyes to the difference between being a mom of someone with CF and being the person who is living with CF.
Raising three kids in daycare often involves runny noses and mystery stains. As a mom with CF, I’ve figured out how to balance our daily lives with keeping me healthy and daycare-germ free.
More than 60 teens from across the country — 25 of whom live with cystic fibrosis — participated online and on Capitol Hill in the Foundation’s Teen Advocacy Day to advocate for the CF community.
We’re highlighting six creators who are helping raise awareness of cystic fibrosis. By sharing parts of their life with CF on paper or on screen, they’re voicing the variety of ways that people experience the disease.
I was diagnosed late with cystic fibrosis. When I found out I had bronchiectasis on top of that, I was crushed. However, nine years later, my health is as good as it can be, and I’ve learned the value of fighting back.