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.
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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.
Growing up with CF was hard, but my parents helped me learn how to cope by both encouraging me to fight and allowing me space to complain.
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.