In this CF life, I won’t give up trying
When I was in my late teens and early 20s, before I met my wife, I would go anywhere and do anything at a moment’s notice. Staying out until 3 a.m. at a random…
Understanding Nonsense — William Ryan
William Ryan is an adult with cystic fibrosis and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. William is from Bayonne, New Jersey, a small peninsula city roughly 20 minutes from New York City. Along with being a columnist, he works in local government helping senior citizens, disabled citizens, and veterans. He was diagnosed with CF in early 1993. He has a rare mutation of CF, mostly affecting his digestive system rather than his respiratory system. William and his wife, Gina, have two dogs, Otis and Ruby. He hopes you’ll enjoy reading his columns as much as Otis and Ruby do.
Featured Post
Living with cystic fibrosis has been a battle this year, but I survived
It has been a year. From an underwhelming season of “Vanderpump Rules” to a historic rap battle, the world has navigated a roller coaster of emotions and events. The highs of me being a…
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I used to hate my birthday, but I’ve learned to appreciate it
Growing up, I hated my birthday. It brought a wave of attention from everyone I knew and, more importantly, made me think about my mortality. People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are all too…
My dedicated early-morning routine makes a difference in my health
Talking Heads is one of my all-time favorite bands. One of their most popular songs, “Once in a Lifetime,” has a refrain in its bridge that goes, “Same as it…
Why the CDC should mandate masks in medical facilities
Over the past few weeks, I’ve attempted to focus my thoughts on an area that many of us within the disabled community know all too well: the waiting room. That room is a microcosm…
How I manage fatty acids, weight loss with diet and a supplement
Like others with chronic illness, many of us with cystic fibrosis (CF) have met someone who has recommended something that would “cure” us of our disease. Someone once told me that some kind…
CF-related diabetes and liver disease affect me every day
All symptoms aren’t created equal. They can be visible or invisible and range from manageable to unbearable, even debilitating a person for days on end. With cystic fibrosis (CF), symptoms can last…
The cystic fibrosis cough is normal — and in public, it’s embarrassing
It’s the coughing. It’s always going to be the coughing with cystic fibrosis (CF). It makes everyone uncomfortable, whether they admit it or not. Everyone who knows me knows I can have a…
The evolution of chest physical therapy has made life with CF easier
In my nearly 31 years of life, I’ve watched technology evolve at a rapid pace. Millennials like me have watched cellphones, video games, and computers transform from their rudimentary beginnings into the efficient tools…
3 ways I combat brain fog when I don’t get enough sleep
At least twice a week, as I’m lying in bed, I can hear the voice of Paulie Walnuts from “The Sopranos” whispering one of his famous quotes in my ear: “A man…
How Alex Edelman’s comedy helped me reflect on my life with CF
Last weekend, my wife and I went to Manhattan to see comedian Alex Edelman perform his one-man show “Just for Us” on Broadway. The show revolves around how he initially…
Canadian wildfires have made life with CF even more challenging
During the last month, the smoke from Canadian wildfires has made its way into a significant area of the United States, drastically affecting the ability of residents to breathe, particularly those with…
The online CF community needs to rein in distasteful jokes
As a former stand-up comedian, I’ve heard jokes about every topic under the sun, from Tinder to kitchen appliances, to every dark and demented aspect of human life. I’ve also made jokes about…
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