I always enjoy the autumn season and this year was no exception. I rebounded from a hospitalization in August for a lung infection triggered by a flu virus. I spent several nights in the hospital and then 10 days on I.V. antibiotics at home. This bout knocked me hard and I found out that even with Kalydeco/Ivacaftor I am not Invincible! It had been 2 1/2 years with no hospitalizations. I am grateful to the care team that got me healthy. Even random acts of kindness matter; an off-duty nurse went down to the hospital lobby to get me a Peet’s coffee, much better than hospital coffee. 

When I got home I wanted to get active and recover. I could not do some of my regular activities, as you can’t do much with a PICC line in but I did have a good friend who met me for walks. I am now pleased to be back to my regular activities: swimming, golf and yoga and looking forward to the holiday season and keeping in mind this quote: “Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.” ―(Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart)

My husband, Rich, and I celebrated our 43rd Wedding Anniversary in early October and we played golf at Rancho San Marcos Golf Course in Santa Barbara. We were joined by turkeys on several fairways which seemed appropriate for autumn and Thanksgiving. The golf game wasn’t too bad either.

In late October several good friends joined me to participate in the Santa Barbara Great Strides Walk to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We had a great day for a walk along the beach and then enjoyed lunch together. I am grateful for my friends who joined my team at the Walk and to those who donated to the CF Foundation-"Barbara’s Walkers"-Great Strides Team.

When I was diagnosed with CF at age 64 and was finally able to get good treatment, I wanted to give back to help others challenged with CF. I knew my active lifestyle was why I had made it to my sixties. Seven years ago I connected with the CFLF and established the Loretta Morris Memorial Fund, in memory of my sister who died from CF at the age of 21 years. The Fund provides Recreation Grants for the activities Loretta and I enjoyed: dance, horseback riding, swimming, and golf. Over seven years, 123 Recreation Grants have been awarded to children and adults. I am most grateful to the 52 donors who support the Fund. A few recent grant recipients are featured here expressing the value of exercise to them as they live with CF. They are great examples for others as “life may knock them down, they find reasons, if only small ones, to get up and keep moving.”

Rachel, California, Age 44 - Swimming
“I have always loved swimming and feel swimming would be good exercise for my lungs. The master’s swim program is a good fit for achieving my goal to increase my lung function by 20% or more if possible.”

Austin, Kentucky, Age 19 - Golf
“I want to be looked at as a normal person not someone with a disease. Out on the golf course with my friends are some of the best times that I have. Golf is a life saver for me”

 

Ella, Oregon, Age 13-Dance
“Being able to dance and get my lungs working, my blood pumping helps me stay healthier. It gives me a great community and group of friends.”

 

                                                                                          Help Others Live STRONGER and LONGER- 

                                                                                           

                                     

 

Barbara Morris Harison lives in Ventura, CA and served on the CFLF Board. She was diagnosed with CF at age sixty four (64). She lost a sister to CF forty-six (46) years ago and established the Loretta Morris Memorial Fund with CFLF in 2010. Barbara is retired after a long career in public parks and recreation administration and management of her own consulting business, Harison & Associates. When she is not swimming laps or golfing she volunteers for community organizations.
 

 

 

***Views expressed in the CFLF Blog are those of the bloggers themselves and not necessarily of the Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation***   

 

To receive an e-mail notification and link to the new CFLF blog post each week please e-mail erin@cflf.org to be added to our list.