Columns

Finding Your Identity in Matters of Life and Death

I’m thankful to be alive. I was supposed to leave this world before I was 10 years old. At least, that’s what the data suggested when I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) back in 1997. Much has changed since then. I like to think my own stubbornness, my…

Let’s Maintain Hope, Even When History Repeats Itself

I recently watched the 2021 remake of “West Side Story.” It was my first viewing of the musical, a surprising twist if you’ve read my columns. In short, I’m obsessed with musical theater and its parallels with the cystic fibrosis (CF) community. “It’s like ‘Newsies,'” I said as…

How I’m Healing From PTSD Caused by Medical Trauma

I used to think my medical trauma was normal. Doesn’t everyone with chronic illness go through traumatic experiences and not talk about them? When therapists helped me understand that I don’t need to have fought in a war to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), my perspective changed. It turns out…

I Must Use My Energy Wisely, but Use It I Can

When my body feels like it’s running on fumes and I’m in need of a pick-me-up, I watch the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress.” The story, which famously starred Carol Burnett in various roles on Broadway, follows a selfish queen, her adult son, and the affected kingdom. The…

How I Cope With Loneliness While Living With Chronic Illness

Living with chronic illness is often a lonely road. Born with cystic fibrosis (CF), I’ve often struggled with isolation, feeling alone, and living a different lifestyle from most people. Before joining my disease community, I thought I was the only one. Thankfully, I’ve developed skills for coping with…

‘My Shot’: What It Means to Be a Survivor

My family and I were finally able to see the Broadway sensation “Hamilton” live on stage at the Durham Performing Arts Center in North Carolina. I’d already seen the pro-shot film on Disney+ and memorized the entire album before that. Still, getting to a live show has been a…

My Mental Health Checklist for Living Well With Chronic Illness

Mental health struggles often co-occur with chronic illnesses. This was true for me while living with cystic fibrosis, and still is, four years after my double-lung transplant. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression my whole life, and in recent years, I’ve dealt with post-traumatic stress. Awareness is helpful,…

‘Watch What Happens’: The Importance of Writing

The Broadway musical “Newsies” chronicles the true story of the New York newsboys’ strike of 1899. In the song “Watch What Happens,” Katherine, a journalist, scans through a selection of newsworthy headlines. The lyrics open with, “Write what you know,” a piece of advice all writers have been given.