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 with a chronic illness, one piece of advice I would give to other students with CF is to take every opportunity to get involved and connect with others. My experience with CF has helped me realize that people are in need of support. CF is an isolating disease because the increased risk of cross-infection makes it unsafe to physically meet other patients, and it is difficult to find others who understand the reality of what we face. With the isolation brought on by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for mental, social, and emotional support is even more apparent. As a college freshman, online learning this past fall posed several challenges that could only be overcome with support from those around me. Meeting people was a challenge at first, but after texting with students I met through summer orientation and fall classes, I found a reliable group of friends who shared my interests, reviewed for exams with me, and even opened up about their personal lives. They inspired me to take care of myself by keeping up with exercise and daily treatments during this unusual time. Not only have I realized that there is still a way to create community with those around me in the midst of online school and physical distancing, but this pandemic and my CF experience have inspired and allowed me to form stronger connections and give back to those around me.