Let’s be honest, having Cystic Fibrosis is no fun at all. There are always a million things you have to do, whether it’s doctors’ visits, pills to take or treatments to do, things start to become exhausting and you can lose sight of the things that really matter. We get so caught up with doing what we need to do sometimes we neglect the things we should do. 

Well guess what? Whatever goals you may want to accomplish, I’m here to tell you to go for it.

I’ve always been the kind of person who has refused to accept CF as being a roadblock for anything I decided to do in my life. No matter what it was, if I wanted to do it, I did it, even if I was told I was pushing myself too much. 

I think I’m just extremely stubborn and refuse to take “no” for an answer, but hey, others just might see it differently and think I overdo it, but I have to do what makes me happy.

I’ve been told before that I’m a strong person, an inspiration, but honestly, I don’t know any other way to be. Being true to yourself is the only way to live considering the fact that our lives are so chaotic. I’ve felt super discouraged in the past, but I persevered until I met my goals. I graduated from high school in 2007 and it took me until August of 2015 to graduate from college. 

There have been plenty of times that I’ve felt discouraged and have wanted to give up, but I remembered I made a promise to myself. No matter what, I was going to graduate with my bachelor’s degree. Even if I was in the hospital, feeling horrible, missed a few classes, or had professors who could care less about my situation, I stuck with it. I went for my goal and I achieved it.

Sometimes it’s not even the big goals. It could be something as small as wanting to go on vacation with friends. Always remember to go for it! I’ve been to New York, California, and Chicago just to name a few. If I work hard I reward myself. Having CF is a full time job and we need to unwind to rejuvenate ourselves physically and mentally.A few days away can be all you need to kick start a year of great health. I’ve gone on vacation and have coughed my lungs out the entire time. I’ve walked more than I ever thought was possible, and guess what? I enjoyed every single minute of it. I remind myself constantly of how awesome of a job I’m doing with my health, even though sometimes it does get hard to stay compliant and focus on the big picture. I never neglect myself or the goals I have set in place.

Whatever road life may take me on I always want to be able to tell myself I went for it. The biggest obligation we have is to be true to ourselves and remember it's okay to be selfish. Not everyone will agree with you pushing yourself whether it is going for a job, pushing yourself to finish school, or even being completely carefree and taking some “you” time. Remember I’m telling you, just go for it.

 

                                                                        Help Others to Live Stronger and Longer!

                                                                               

 

 

 

Tiffany is 28 years old and a Miami Florida Native. She is a full time CF patient, a graduate of Florida International University, and a CFLF Grant Recipient. She loves the beach, her family, and friends, and is the mom to two dogs and a cat. She enjoys life to the fullest and is always full of laughter and joy.
 

 

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