“My dream for the future is…”

My dream for the future is that a cure will be found and all my goals will be accomplished. I believe that dreams come true. Since I was a young girl, I have been a dreamer for the future and what it entails. I was born with Cystic Fibrosis and was diagnosed when I was four months old. I have visited Nationwide Children’s Hospital my whole life and am extremely grateful for my doctors and nurses. I have never let the disease hinder my life as I work with it and do what I can to stay healthy. Without my family and friends, I do not know where I would be today. Their loving support has made me the person I am. Cystic Fibrosis is uncommon where I live, and growing up I was a spokesperson to my community. My family hosted the Great Strides Walk for 15 years where an outgrowing support was shown towards me and my family. I had the opportunity to appear in commercials with Billy Donovan and Chad Pennington. As I grow older it has become harder for me to keep up with treatments, but I constantly remind myself that it is for my health. I have a very active lifestyle where I participate on my school tennis team, show choir, and senior student council. When most people look at me they are shocked to hear that I have a life-threatening disease. I live a normal lifestyle, other than my two hour treatments daily and frequent doctors' appointments. God has a plan for me and my future. I want to become a successful businesswoman and have a family someday. Cystic Fibrosis will not hold me back from my dreams, and I know that we can overcome this.