Work that Works – a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

Elly Aylwin-Foster (yes, folks, that’s what an Anglican-Celtic name looks like) is a writer and communications strategist with cystic dibrosis and CF-related diabetes. She lives in Cambridge, U.K., with her partner and two cats, Mack and April. She is partial to a good hike, coffee, yoga, and dreams of life out in the open.

May 16, 2019May 15, 2019

A Healthy Ambition: Leadership with Illness

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

In my journey to make sense of the world of work while having a life-limiting illness, I have often wondered, “What does it look like to be a leader with ... Read more

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

Starting a Business Takes Grit and Determination When You Have CF

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

What qualities does it take to start your own business? Grit, determination, capital, and a good idea will surely all help. Good health is rarely included in the list of ... Read more

May 2, 2019May 9, 2019

Not All Work Is Paid: Reflections on Self-value with CF

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

Growing up, I was lucky to attend school almost entirely uninterrupted by cystic fibrosis. I didn’t see the inside of a hospital for more than occasional appointments until I was ... Read more

April 18, 2019May 9, 2019

Can We Take a Minute to Rest?

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

Reader, I am tired. I don’t need to explain how that feels to those who have cystic fibrosis (CF), but for the benefit of others, I will. It’s a kind ... Read more

April 11, 2019June 27, 2019

Does Having CF Affect a Career Negatively or Positively?

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

I’ve written recently about getting more feedback and input from the CF community for this column. I love sharing my journey with you, but I’m only one person. Through this ... Read more

April 4, 2019June 21, 2019

Dealing with Expectations at Work with an Invisible Illness

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

My column focuses on working life and professional ambitions for people with cystic fibrosis. I write it for two reasons. The first is to speak to carers, parents, and young ... Read more

March 28, 2019June 3, 2019

My Body Is Not Always a Temple: Work-life Balance with CF

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

Many young professionals burn the candle at both ends, especially when the temptation to fit into a big city’s lifestyle lurks. Somehow, they continue to function as productive humans — ... Read more

March 21, 2019April 18, 2019

The Isolation of Self-employment Is Worse with CF

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

Loneliness is a killer. It’s perhaps not something those of us with life-limiting physical conditions spend much time thinking about. But the statistics are convincing. In the U.K., women aged ... Read more

March 14, 2019April 4, 2019

Taking to the Skies with Cystic Fibrosis

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

The gentleman in front of me is held up. An unsmiling, uniformed official calls him to one side with a brisk gesture. We exchange worried glances. The beeping intensifies and ... Read more

March 7, 2019March 22, 2019

How Does Cystic Fibrosis Affect Our Fear of Failure?

Columns, Work that Works - a Column by Elly Aylwin-Foster

I was made redundant last year. A week later, I turned 30. One week after that, I found out that I had failed to make it into the preliminary stages ... Read more