“My dream for the future is…”

My dream for the future is to utilize my experience of living with cystic fibrosis to improve the world in which we live, appreciate each day, and live life to its absolute fullest. As a child, I spent hours capturing my dreams through illustrations. This challenged my creativity, encouraged me to be inquisitive, and most importantly, provided me with hope for the future. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.” So I continue to hope and dream for adventure, happiness, and to heal myself of this devastating disease.

Growing up with CF, I was frequently exposed to health care and observed the mysterious world of medicine with an intrinsic curiosity. My life has benefited tremendously because of the medical community and it has been my dream to give back to it. This dream is becoming a reality as I begin my final year as a physician assistant student. I am focused and confident in my commitment to study medicine and look forward to utilizing my knowledge and my compassion toward helping others. With dreams of love and happiness, this fall, my fiancé and I will take our vows and begin life together. I dream of watching future generations grow while continuing to look ahead with optimism and hope for a cure for myself and others fighting cystic fibrosis.