31 Days of CF: Chad’s Story

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by Luisa Palazola |

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Day 30 of 31 Days of CF⁣⁣⠀ Topic: Being a Dad with CF⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ This is Chad’s story⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ The Grinch’s heart may have grown three sizes when he discovered that Christmas didn’t come from a store, but I think mine grew ten times when I held each of my boys for the first time. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ Being a dad with CF certainly comes with its worries and challenges. I worry that this disease may rob me of the chance to see them have their first day of middle school, cook their first meal for our family, drive a car, or for them to decide what their dreams are and a take a risk to get there. I worry, that it might rob them of a dad to teach them that it’s ok to cry, that it’s ok to love and that it’s ok to ask for help. I worry that I am missing part of their life as I struggle with the challenges of balancing hours of treatments, clinic visits and my care with the regular parts of being a dad. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ But both of my boys, Liam who is about three weeks shy of his 9th birthday, and Tate who is five, have taught me more about living in the 9 years that I have been a dad than in all the previous 29 years combined. I wait to hear the sound of their feet each morning as they run down stairs to sit with me while I do my treatments. We dance and sing our way to school, we build legos, dig in the dirt and go for family bike rides. I am a shoulder to cry on when they have a tough day, a kisser of boo-boos and a master tickler. Despite the hurdles, the two of them (along with my incredible wife) are my inspiration and the source of my strength, smile and laughter. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ Yes, having kids has, at times, added to the weight of this disease but I would not change it for a second. While my family provides me with the inspiration and strength to work harder, CF has given me the ability to value and appreciate each moment with them.⁣⁣

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About the Author

Luisa Palazola avatar
Luisa Palazola Luisa Palazola is a 25-year-old with CF living in Memphis, Tennessee. She injects her perspective as a Hispanic woman and her love for life and stories in all her interactions. In her downtime, she's learning Portuguese and is an avid coffee lover.

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