Meet the 2024 Scholars

"Describe a defining moment in your journey with CF that sparked personal growth or resilience. How did this experience affect you and what did you learn from this moment?"

My defining moment in my journey with Cystic Fibrosis was finally feeling the effects of a CFTR modulator. After taking a modulator for two weeks I was sitting with my family and I coughed. For the first time in my life, I can truly say that I could breathe fully and easily. I looked at my mom and I said a seemingly basic phrase, I told her that I could breathe. This immediately brought her to tears, and the same for my father. This experience affected me in a very positive way, and above all else, what I learned from this moment was hope. It's difficult to have hope in the face of insurmountable odds, and those with Cystic Fibrosis face those. From a young age, we have to come to terms with the fact that our peers, friends, and relatives will likely shake hands at our funerals. In my case, I was first made aware of the life expectancy in 5th grade and showed my class the music video for "I Lived" by One Republic. In the video, they present the story of a young man as he explains what CF is and his struggles with it. In the video, he mentions that the life expectancy- at the time- was about 36. My dad had shown me the music video earlier that day as I was sitting and doing my vest; however, I didn't hear that part because I was either too enthralled in my video games or I just didn't notice. I did hear it that afternoon in a room full of my fellow fifth graders as I learned, for the first time, that my life may be shorter than many of my classmates. Having Cystic Fibrosis is an incredibly grueling physical battle, but oftentimes, the emotional and psychological battle is just as difficult, if not more so. However, once someone sees that change can happen, hope becomes inevitable. And as cliche as it sounds, sitting next to my parents after having the best cough of my life, I knew that things could get better and things would get better. Being able to look at both of my parents and take the deepest breath of my life, one that brought me to tears, has given me more hope than anything has so far in my life. I have spoken about this moment at every Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser, gathering, and event, and truly to any person who will listen. I want people to know of the hope that is growing in every person with Cystic Fibrosis as advancements in medicine, therapy, and treatment grow every day, and bring us one step closer to CF standing for Cure Found.