31 Days of CF: Aoife’s Story

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by Luisa Palazola |

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Day 18 of 31 Days of CF ⁣ CF and Travel ⁣ ⁣ This is Aoife’s experience: ⁣ ⁣ It all started with a family trip to The Land Down Undah when I was just 13 years old. There was something about the energy in Sydney. Coming from my little hometown of Naas (in Ireland), Sydney was electric to me. There were tons of people from all corners of the world in the city. I was mesmerized. But I truly fell in love with Australia when we journeyed up the stunning East Coast and met true Aussies. Tanned, lean, shaggy/beach haired girls and guys carrying surfboards or skateboarding around the towns! Everyone was just so active all of the time. And why wouldn't they be? Beautiful local beaches scattered everywhere, steep stunning bush hikes with breathtaking views.. it was my ultimate dreamland! I knew this place was somewhere that I would return to and explore as an adult, CF or no CF, NOTHING was going to stop me!!⁣ ⁣ However, just 2 months before I was due to return to Australia as a 25 year old woman, I got REALLY sick. Despite my new found healthy routine of doing personal training 2-3 times a week, I had caught a nasty infection that led to my first admission in 4 years. I was petrified. Was this a sign? I began to reconsider all of my travel plans out of pure fear. Should I shorten my trip? What if I get sick abroad? This illness was trying to do what it loves to do best -stop me from living a normal life. Then I thought, ah-nah! I have trained too dang hard with my PT, planned a range of activities, fundraised for a Skydive for CF upon my arrival in Australia and got my hopes up far too high to just give up on my life long dream of backpacking around Australia! ⁣ ⁣ So long story short, here I am at 27 years of age on my 2nd Year Working Holiday Visa, writing this piece from my apartment in Bondi Beach. Pinch me! Yes CF tries to scare the absolute ???? out of us at times, but don't let it! My biggest fear in life is not living my life to the fullest. Take control of that fear that CF brings, for fear does not prevent death, it prevents life!! Follow me at @holdontoyourkite_irl to keep up with my travel plans to take on New Zealand, Bali, Western Australia and maybe more ????⁣

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About the Author

Luisa Palazola avatar
Luisa Palazola Luisa Palazola is a 25-year-old with CF living in Memphis, Tennessee. She injects her perspective as a Hispanic woman and her love for life and stories in all her interactions. In her downtime, she's learning Portuguese and is an avid coffee lover.

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