Working in the medical field while having cystic fibrosis isn’t easy. But my occupational therapy career has helped me develop skills that make it easier for me to find a healthy balance between work and life with CF.
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I thought I was well-prepared to have my third baby boy, but when Oliver was diagnosed with CF, everything I knew went out the window. Though the journey has been isolating at times, my family has found our new normal with support from others in the CF community.
My wife and I were heartbroken when our daughter, Ruth, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a newborn. But CF can’t stop us from being optimistic about what the future holds for our family.
After managing various chronic symptoms my whole life, I was finally diagnosed with CF as an adult. As I struggled to cope with the news, my community rallied around me and taught me what true support looks like.
I have faced numerous health challenges in my life, including a recent diagnosis of osteopenia. Despite this, I am resilient, grateful, and determined to take care of myself while finding strength in the cystic fibrosis community.
I began volunteering as a way to support my cousin with CF. But over time, I discovered the community and impact that can come from even the smallest efforts.
My whole life I pushed myself physically and mentally to achieve my dream in professional wrestling. It turns out I wasn’t dealing with CF. CF was dealing with me.
Michael Burke bicycled 480 miles in six days to raise money for cystic fibrosis — an unprecedented challenge that he used to think was impossible until advances in CF care helped him live boldly.
We couldn’t wait to take our daughter home from the hospital. But when the time finally came to bring my daughter home, I began to lose confidence in myself as I tried handling all the medications and formula. With time, I built a great routine for my family and learned some tips and tricks to share with other new parents.
I suffered a great deal of damage growing up with cystic fibrosis in a small Appalachian town — physically and emotionally. But with a lot of hard work, I have been able to overcome some of the emotional scars.