When I scroll through my social media accounts, it’s hard not to compare myself to other people and feel like I could have accomplished so much more had it not been for my cystic fibrosis. Instead of getting depressed, I now rely on therapy, positive affirmations, and being kind to myself to preserve my mental health
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I’ve been a runner for most of my life. After having to drop out of three previous marathons because of my CF, I was finally ready to run this year’s Boston Marathon.
For me, exercise has been a magical treatment for my cystic fibrosis. I have found that our bodies respond to the demands put on them, so train your body to meet a fitness goal, and your strength and endurance will improve.
My parents made sure that I enjoyed my childhood despite my health struggles with cystic fibrosis. They focused on making sacrifices and hard decisions, such as relocating to be near my clinic, and never letting me brood over my prognosis.
Having cystic fibrosis has been a double-edged sword. CF has caused suffering, but it also has given me the perspective to embrace my life.
After I was told to stick with sprints because my cystic fibrosis would make it hard to become a distance runner, I was determined to prove that this disease won’t hold me back from my goals.
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.
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.
Dance was my life, but I had to give it up when my health was in decline. I then found a new way to express my creativity through poetry.