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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?"

It was when my mom was just five months pregnant with me that my family was introduced to the idea of Cystic Fibrosis. Since then, I have been faced with statistics and stories that attempted to prove what I shouldn't be able to do. I have been told that I shouldn't be able to do sports, and that my lungs would not be able to handle the tests of a normal teenager's life. And yet, when I was two years old, I happened to fall in love with gymnastics, a sport that would quickly become my world. Standing inside the white lines on the corner of the floor, struggling to breathe as I headed into a tumbling pass became my daily reality, but so did the growing reality of this sport being a new treatment for my CF. My care team and I realized that though it could be harsh on my lungs, gymnastics was actually a crucial piece of how healthy I had been. It was around that time that my mom was introduced to the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Although I was young, I could feel the support that the foundation provided people with CF all over. As I grew up and stayed involved with them through fundraisers, their Athlete of the Month campaigns, and Workout Warrior documentaries, I could always see the profound impact that this organization had on the CF community. I had hoped that my work with BEF would one day contribute to that impact, but it wasn't until college that I was able to see this become a reality. Throughout my time at SHU, I have also been a BEF Athlete, posting social media content highlighting my experience as a club gymnast with Cystic Fibrosis. It was nerve racking to expose my illness to the world at first, but as I grew comfortable with this role, I began to see the ways in which my story could inspire others. I have been able to use this platform to show other athletes with Cystic Fibrosis that it is possible to not only follow your passions, but to use them as a way to help your CF. As a BEF Athlete I have also had the opportunity to connect with so many other amazing athletes with Cystic Fibrosis. From them, I have seen the way in which a positive mindset can shape your whole journey. These athletes have shown me how important it is to not view your CF as a downfall, or a "struggle" but as something that can help you grow stronger, both mentally and physically. This is what I hope future generations are able to take out of all of our stories; though life with chronic illness is not always easy, it can be a defining part of your journey without limiting your dreams.