Lara, 33, resides in Vermont (for now) as a wild, adventure enthusiast who holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling. She writes about living out loud and develops educational programs to restore hope to those in need. Thanks to her double-lung transplant in 2017 due to cystic fibrosis, you can now find Lara traveling on the regular, exploring the glorious outdoors, and belly laughing with her loves. She’s passionate about connecting with like-minded people, so join her at www.laragovendo.com and on social media (“Lungs4Lovey”) while she flies by the seat of her (no) pants.I resonate with springtime on a soul level. The hint of warmth in the air, the daffodil buds popping up, and the overall sense of renewal bring me such joy. Spring reminds me of my own rebirth I experienced after my double-lung transplant five years ago. With new lungs,…
Isolation runs rampant in the rare disease community. As a byproduct, so does feeling alone. My journey with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been challenging, and I’ve often felt like I’m the only one fighting this disease. Thankfully, I found camaraderie through community right before my double-lung transplant five…
Organ donors are ordinary people who make an extraordinary impact. Each day I’m personally reminded of how one decision can change a life. My life was saved because of my donor, who made my double-lung transplant possible five years ago. Each breath I take reminds me of the…
Due to cystic fibrosis, I’ve been steadfastly focused on my health my entire life. There hasn’t been a time when I wasn’t thinking about my health. As such, I’m constantly assessing how my surroundings will affect my health, conducting continuous health maintenance, and ensuring all of the elements of…
Birthdays aren’t just another day for me — they’re a reminder that I’m still alive. Last month, I turned 36. I’ve lived my entire life thinking I would die young. Growing older with cystic fibrosis (CF), living with minimal inhibition, and dreaming about the future all feel like…
I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to books. I get so excited when new books are delivered to my home. Yes, I still read physical books. Am I alone in that? I’m not afraid to admit I’m old-fashioned about the healing power of physical books. They’ve changed…
More often than not, I act healthy when I’m actually sick. Many people with chronic illness will pretend like everything is fine, even when it’s not, due to societal pressure to present an appearance of perfect health. I struggle to be honest about how I’m feeling because the answer…
I never thought I’d say this, but it’s my reality: I’m a diabetic. It’s hard to admit this is a part of my life now. Like most aspects of my health, my diabetes is atypical. It didn’t stem from a bad diet or excessive sugar intake, as most people tend…
My lung health has been on my mind my whole life. I’m constantly assessing potential environmental risks, my breathing, and what I can do to improve my lungs. Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) taught me to think about every breath. Five years of life after my double-lung transplant…
Knowing my life expectancy due to cystic fibrosis (CF) used to play tricks on my mind. Who am I kidding? It still does sometimes. For the first several years of my life, CF was known as a childhood disease because many people didn’t live into adulthood. With…
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