Sheldon V.'s Essay

Living with Cystic Fibrosis has taught me that life is a journey we all are capable of taking in our own unique directions. Some find their paths through their parents’ footsteps while others aspire to become something unexpected. It is the obstacles placed in our life that provide us with strength, and the belief in hope that brings us accomplishment. Our dreams in life are only credible to the individuals who make them possible. Even with the aid of others, it is up to each of us, as our own person to find the sources of motivation and inspiration required to make our dreams a reality.

In my life, inspiration and motivation come in many forms. They have been enraptured in the droplet of a tear, the beating of another’s heart, the strength of a family, and the beauty of a soul. Recently, my greatest inspiration and motivation has been derived from my passion for running. Running is what inspires me to push myself to the next level. It is where I see people for who they are, where sweat is transformed into a still life, and where my every stride could be put onto a canvas.

Over the years, CF has challenged my patience and questioned my strength, but has become a constant motivator. To prove people wrong, break the stereotype, push unobtainable limits, and to educate others, have always been daily goals of mine. It may not always give me an upper hand in a race or be communicated in my art, but it always can keep me mentally focused on any goal, no matter what the reach.