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?"

I always fixated on big events like birthdays, graduations, and grandiose to-do lists. They gave me purpose and motivation throughout my life as I fought an unrelenting battle against cystic fibrosis. In 2017, when I found myself feeling hopeless and lost at the end of a long string of milestone accomplishments, it was time for me to forge a new path. This crossroads marked a defining moment in my life where I discovered hope, adventure, and a revived excitement for life. Upon returning home from a backpacking trip across Europe that closely followed my graduation from college, I was admitted to the hospital for treatment of a lung infection with IV antibiotics. Though I was a tireless adventurer at heart, my body did not always agree. This cycle was all too familiar to me; however, this time was different. I remember feeling more defeated than ever with the recognition that despite my endless optimism and strict adherence to prescribed care regimens, I might always end up within the confines of the pale blue hospital walls I knew so well. The goals that had previously served as my guiding light through the frequent hospitalizations and daily respiratory therapy treatments had been checked off the list. What I needed now was a new goal to build towards. Colorado was my answer. It was a terrifying and uncomfortable answer, but I knew in my heart it was right. I had dreamed of moving to the mountains since I was sixteen. Within one month of that hospital admission, I had made arrangements for receiving care and medications in Colorado, found an apartment, and packed my car with everything I owned. It's hard to describe what changed when I arrived at my new home 1,500 miles away, but my excitement for what life had in store was reignited. I knew that to stay here without risking my health, livelihood, and wellbeing, it would require exceptionally hard work. I happily accepted the challenge. The moment I decided to step outside of my comfort zone in search of hope and happiness, I began writing the best chapter of my life. Ultimately, Colorado brought me a loving husband, a fulfilling career, drastically improved health, an incredibly supportive community, and a life that I would not trade for anything. Primarily, the experience taught me to trust my instincts. When I was struggling, no one knew the battle I was facing inside better than I did, and that made me the greatest authority on what I needed to get through it. Secondly, I learned to fight for my dreams. The opportunity to fulfill a life goal does not come around every day, and when it does, it often requires hard work and sacrifice. I've learned to sacrifice all but what I value and jump into opportunities with a reasonable amount of trepidation and an excessive amount of enthusiasm. Lastly, I learned to never lose sight of the beauty of life. Sometimes all it requires is changing up the scenery.