Erin P.'s Essay

Having CF is a blessing and curse. It has taught me how precious life is, and how to seize each moment and make it incredible. The struggles of everyday life become insignificant. It takes away the dread of getting ready and going to work, because I feel thankful just to be able to do that otherwise “monotonous routine.”

It sounds unusual, but I’m thankful for having CF. While my contemporaries have constantly struggled with peer pressure, CF has made me stay focused on a healthy, exciting, and driven life. It helps me not worry about being something I’m not, because ultimately playing a role isn’t a fulfilling life.

Having CF isn’t an easy road. Medications and treatments aren’t easy to manage. There are times when I have to pause life so I can do a breathing treatment or worse, stay in the hospital. Luckily, I’ve come across many understanding people in my life, but have also encountered narrow-minded individuals who only see me as a disease, and there are times when it’s a struggle to tell the difference between the two.

Living with CF has made this time of my life even more exciting. Going to college and pursuing a dream are huge successes. However, for me it is even more than that, it makes me feel as if I can do anything. I can conquer challenges CF gives to me and most importantly of all I can succeed. Having CF is truly my gift that keeps on taking.