Voting Is Now OPEN

"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?"

In the fall, I will begin law school. Just saying that sentence outloud is something that a younger version of myself never would have thought was possible. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 2 years old. For as long as I can remember, I've known that I had to fill my life to the brim because I may not have as long as others. For far too long, I tried desperately to keep my secret. I wanted people to see me as a proud, strong Latina, a tireless dancer, and a powerful leader. Anything but the "sick girl." Through middle and high school I hid behind my schedule, filling every moment of every day with as much as I could possibly fit—and then some. Eventually, I was doing so much that my body could no longer keep up. When, despite all my best efforts, my lung function deteriorated to the point where I needed to be hospitalized at 17, my secret was out. The truth of the matter was that my disease is, and always had been, part of me, but it never defined me; it could only have as much power over me as I let it. I left my time in the hospital with my physical symptoms temporarily relieved, but psychologically stronger than I ever thought possible. The unexpected blessing of unconditional acceptance allowed me to remember who I really was. More importantly, it allowed me to discover who I wanted to become. College was a time for me to really shine and to stop letting this idea that has been brewing in my head following my hospitalization that I was just my disease. I knew I had an opportunity for higher education that my parents did not, a chance to do something bigger than myself for my community and get a degree. From serving as vice president of my sorority to doubling voter turnout in the LMU student government elections, I knew that I wanted to make an impact on the Loyola Marymount University campus—and I did. I held the power to build a reputation where my new peers and professors knew me for the things that I could do; I also held the power of choosing precisely who to let know the real me, and about the things I could not do. I found true power in the balance of my identity. Although I still have to take daily medications and restrict my activity in unique ways, I finally feel like I have control over my life. I have my own voice now: although very opinionated at times, it is mine and it is strong. I want to go to law school to use my voice for others. My Cystic Fibrosis has taken some things away, yes, but it has also helped me define my passion for using my life to help improve the lives of others.