Meet the 2021 Scholars

"Living through a global pandemic with a chronic illness, what is one piece of inspirational advice that you would give to other students with CF who are in the same or similar position?"

Living through a global pandemic has presented challenges in ways most of us could have never imagined. For those diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), such as myself, these challenges have proven to be even more complex. I have chosen to not only meet them head-on, but to rise above and use such challenges as an opportunity to motivate myself and others. My inspirational advice to other CF patients during this devastating time is to remain positive, discover ways to connect with your community, and work diligently to help others. Since the pandemic began, I have wholeheartedly searched for ways to connect with my community while placing special consideration on my own unique health condition. My diagnosis of cystic fibrosis has limited my ability to work with people face-to-face, but I have discovered ways to defy those limits. For example, I am tutoring students in mathematics through an online platform. With many families forced to homeschool, being able to volunteer my time in this capacity has been beneficial for many students. I am also volunteering at a local soccer club. There, children have desperately been seeking peer interaction since social restrictions have been in place. With outdoor practice, I can encourage and motivate players while following protocol to protect myself. Overall, while the COVID-19 crisis has challenged our world in unimaginable ways, it has also produced extraordinary collaboration. People are showing an abundance of care for one another, and I am honored to step up and play my part.