Brad Dell,  —

Brad Dell is Deaf and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 2 months old in 1993. He received a double-lung transplant from UC San Francisco in January 2017, then cochlear implants nine months later. He lives in Hawaii, where he was raised. Usually he’s traveling the world, chugging coffee, or devouring books. He also pastors Restoration Community Church and serves as the director of community content at BioNews, this site’s publisher.

Articles by Brad Dell

Addiction Is a Real Risk

“I can give something to relax you,” the doctor says. I stiffly nod, neck taut and arm outstretched for an arterial blood gas test. The doctor holds up a syringe — a drop of shiny liquid is squished between needle and plunger. It’s the purest looking substance…

27 Hacks That Can Improve Life With Cystic Fibrosis

We asked patients with cystic fibrosis and their families if they had any “life hacks” to share with the community that have made their lives easier. Below are some of our favorite responses (names removed for privacy): Hygiene and sanitation “When I take a shower, I never tilt…

7 Tips for Preventing Reflux and Aspiration

Dr. Gwen A. Huitt, an infectious disease doctor with a special interest in mycobacteria and cystic fibrosis, spoke in our last article about what aspiration is and how it’s dangerous to CF patients. “Aspiration is defined as any liquid, substance, or foreign body that gains access (below the vocal cords)…

What Healthy People Don’t Realize About the CF Life

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about misunderstandings within the CF community. But what about misunderstandings projected into the community from the outside? If you’re a non-CFer, keep these things in mind when interacting with someone who has the disease. You might not feel sick, but that…