“My dream for the future is…”

I hope to represent the United States as coxswain on the Women’s Olympic Rowing Team. I believe I will live my dream simply because I refuse to accept failure and by staying ahead of Cystic Fibrosis, my success appears that much closer. I have an advantage that brings the extraordinary within my very ordinary reach.

Years ago I arrived at a crossroad. Cystic Fibrosis was robbing me of opportunities to participate in school, social activities, and athletics. I knew that unless I found a way to take command of my life and control this burden, I would never achieve my dreams; and worse, I risked becoming mired in self-pity.

I can manage living with CF. Taking ownership of the disease through knowledge and persistence, discipline and resilience, keeps my spirits high and my mind focused on excelling to the best of my ability in order to achieve success. Yes, sometimes I wind up in the hospital, I take a ton of medications, and there are risks down the road that I have yet to face – but today, like every day, my determination to successfully meet any challenge grows and strengthens.

I’ve been recruited as a coxswain at an NCAA Division I university that boasts one of the best rowing programs in the country. Next year will be a huge opportunity to take another step towards my dream of coxing my boat to victory in Olympics. To be sure, Cystic Fibrosis will go with me to Boston, but I refuse to allow it to hinder my coxing abilities and alter my chances to excel to the best of my abilities in the upcoming four years of collegiate competition.