Posts by: Tré LaRosa

Tré LaRosa

Tré is a 26-year-old living with cystic fibrosis in Pensacola, Florida who works as a research lead for BioNews Insights. He is an extremely passionate advocate for disabled rights and people living with chronic disease, especially cystic fibrosis. His sister, Alyssa, died at 29 due to chronic rejection of her bilateral lung transplant, pushing him further into the fight for a better world for all. “Mutations & Conversations” discusses the science and sociology that binds us all. He also loves his golden retriever Duncan very much.

February 8, 2021February 4, 2021

How I’ve Learned to Use My Insecurity to My Advantage

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

I recently saw a meme in which a person is smiling or laughing in the first panel, then looks utterly dismayed in the second. The second panel’s overlay reads: “Tfw ... Read more

January 25, 2021January 21, 2021

The Long Journey of Learning to Love My Own Body

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

I used to be ashamed about my insecurities. I believed that as a man, I was supposed to be strong. I was supposed to silently hate myself, my appearance, and ... Read more

December 21, 2020December 17, 2020

Yes, I Will Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

I can’t remember when I first fell in love with science. I loved learning about it and going on field trips, but I didn’t enjoy science fairs because I missed ... Read more

December 7, 2020December 3, 2020

A Letter to Those Struggling During the Holiday Season

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

Two years ago, I found myself drinking a cup of coffee in a quiet coffee shop in downtown Chicago. I still struggled to call myself a writer or understand my ... Read more

November 23, 2020November 19, 2020

My Experience With COVID-19

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

Life would be much easier if every complicated disease or disorder weren’t so complicated. COVID-19, cystic fibrosis, depression — if they all manifested uniformly and could be treated the same ... Read more

November 9, 2020November 5, 2020

After a Year of Trikafta, Where Do We Go From Here?

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

I used to scoff at the idea of saving money for retirement. It didn’t seem feasible to me to try to plan decades into the future. I accepted long ago ... Read more

October 12, 2020November 5, 2020

Contemplating Our Identity

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

A pandemic meets a life-changing medication. It sounds like the beginning of a modern love story. Last year, a film came out about two teenagers with CF who fall in ... Read more

September 28, 2020September 24, 2020

Time Contracts Near Tragedy

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

My last column, a letter to my younger self, was written before the pandemic. When the world first began to realize the havoc wreaked by COVID-19, I predicted I would ... Read more

March 9, 2020March 5, 2020

Words of Wisdom to My Younger Self

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

Hey kid, You better brace yourself. Other adults in your life are already telling you this, but you better learn to listen up. Your parents know a bit better than ... Read more

March 2, 2020February 27, 2020

We Need to Change Our Language When Discussing Mental Health

Columns, Mutations & Conversations - a Column by Tré LaRosa

My brain felt broken. I didn’t know what to do, even after three years of dealing with depression and anxiety. Our language around our mental health discourse is woefully insufficient. ... Read more