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?"

As a person living with a chronic illness during a deadly, global pandemic, I have seen firsthand how high schools and colleges alike have had to accommodate their students to promote learning in this chaotic time. As a student living with Cystic Fibrosis, I have experienced many school administrations say they were unable to accommodate me. From receiving a dropped grade because I had “too many sick days”, to being late to classes because I had been coughing up mucus for hours on end, I have been told to “make do” because my school could not change the administration rules. The Covid-19 pandemic has ripped this argument to shreds and has proven the education administration is completely able to make adjustments and accommodations. Since Covid-19 started, nearly all schools have upheld online and remote learning, accommodating attendance policies, and extensive sanitary procedures. After seeing many schools accommodate for Covid-19, my advice to other students with CF is this: Never be afraid to advocate for your needs, and your right to succeed on a level playing field. Schools can accommodate but are not always willing. Students with CF deserve equal opportunities to succeed and to learn in an environment that is best for them, even beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. As a Christian, I know the Lord is just and loving, and we can advocate for ourselves lovingly and graciously while pursuing justice as well. Advocating for ourselves is more crucial now than ever since there is proof change can happen.