"My dream for the future is..."

My dream for the future includes, first and foremost, a husband and children – and everything you probably picture as the “white picket fence” life. I hope to be a wife and mother more than anything else. But whether or not I am blessed with a family, I plan to become a counselor because I truly feel called to help people and firmly believe my battle with CF allows me to understand obstacles others face. Although CF has been a constant in my life and living with this chronic condition is not easy, it has made me stronger and more compassionate than I might otherwise have been. Since I was three weeks old, I’ve needed enzymes every time I eat and daily respiratory treatments. But, since the beginning of my senior year of high school last fall, I had surgery, was diagnosed with CF related diabetes, and came down with my first lung infection since I was a baby. I have been on IV antibiotics twice within the last five months. These experiences have solidified my determination to assist those who are hurting. Every person has challenges, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have a supportive family like I’ve had to help them through the tough times. It is my desire to pass on the gifts my family has given me to each person I counsel and, most hopefully, to a husband and children if I am fortunate enough to have a family.