Meet the 2019 Scholars

"Choose one inspirational quote or motto that has helped you throughout your journey with cystic fibrosis. How do you live by your quote or motto and how has it motivated you to accomplish your goals?"

“Your focus determines your reality.” - Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars Episode I Throughout my life, I have drawn motivation from this quote to maintain compliance with my CF therapies. Studies show that compliance has a strong correlation with improved health, so achieving 100 percent compliance is critical. CF does not take a day off, so neither should the CF patient. Respiratory therapy is vital, since it helps to keep the lungs clear, reducing infection, inflammation, and permanent lung damage. Nutritional compliance is also essential in order to maintain a healthy weight, strengthen the immune system, and reduce inflammation. Exercise is another important component of the regimen. Regular aerobic exercise can help clear and strengthen the lungs. Resistance training can be important to strengthen bones, which are more susceptible to osteopenia or osteoporosis for CF patients. And exercise is not effective unless done on a regular basis, thus I play ultimate frisbee year-round. Given the importance of therapy and compliance, I have established a rigorous regimen and achieve near 100 percent compliance. These daily therapies have helped keep me healthy and put me into a position to pursue my academic interests. Because of my heavy academic workload, my focus on my studies must also be intense. The amount of time I devote to my health necessitates high efficiency in my schoolwork. Therefore, by focusing on consistently completing my therapies, exercising regularly, and studying diligently, I am able to make my goals of staying healthy and pursuing higher education reality.