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"Consider the positive influence you aspire to have as someone living with cystic fibrosis. How do you hope to inspire and empower future generations of young adults with chronic illnesses?"

Living with cystic fibrosis has taught me that being strong doesn't mean life is always easy, it means showing up every day and doing your best, even when things are hard. As someone with a chronic illness, I want to be a role model for other young people going through something similar. I want them to know that they are not alone, and that having a health condition doesn't stop you from living a full, meaningful life. Dealing with cystic fibrosis has made me more understanding, more flexible, and more determined. These traits help me stay positive and keep going. I hope to inspire others by being open about my journey. I want people to see that you can still go to college, have friendships, and make a difference in the world, even with challenges like mine. One way I hope to help others is by sharing my story. Sometimes when people hear about chronic illness, they only hear about the tough parts. And while there are hard moments, there's also a lot of hope, strength, and growth that can come from it. I believe telling my story honestly, showing both the good and the bad, can help other young adults feel more confident and less afraid of the future. I also want to be someone others can turn to when they need support, especially those who are newly diagnosed or learning to take care of their health on their own. Being a young adult with a chronic illness comes with a lot of new responsibilities. I hope I can help others by listening to them, offering advice, or just being there when they need someone who understands. One of the more lighthearted things I'd love to share is how to make the best of all the appointments we go through. Whether it's making friends with your doctor, joking around with nurses, or pretending the people drawing your blood are just friendly vampires, I've learned that laughter and positivity can make a big difference. Even small moments of humor can help make hard days a little easier. To me, empowering others means helping them feel strong, informed, and in control of their own lives. That might mean learning how to speak up at the doctor's office, taking care of themselves at school or work, or simply believing that they matter. I want to remind others with chronic illnesses that they are just as smart, capable, and valuable as anyone else. My biggest goal is to lead by example by staying hopeful, speaking out, and not letting fear hold me back. If I can help even one person feel more hopeful or less alone, then I know I've made a difference.