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"How has your journey with CF shaped the problems you want to solve and the impact you hope to have on others?"

My journey with Cystic Fibrosis has been one that has shaped both my outlook on life and my path towards my future career and aspirations. Not only has living and thriving with Cystic Fibrosis given me a strong sense of perseverance and self-identity, but it has also brought me a love for science, patient education, and advocacy. Growing up with Cystic Fibrosis has not been an easy route for anyone with the condition. Through frequent appointments, fear of hospitalization as a child, and missing out on some activities with peers, it can be hard for a growing adult to be sure of who they are as a person. I was no stranger to this struggle either, but as I took steps towards growing as a person and as a scholar, I found that the perseverance I learned through juggling many different things was a transferable skill. This perseverance taught me the value of hard work and intentionality, as well as gave me a sense of identity. Yes, I am someone living with Cystic Fibrosis, but I am also a scientist, musician, friend, mentor, and a rising veterinarian. It has always been a strong pull in my life to become a veterinarian. My primary CF physician when I was younger, even commented on how I would work with animals or be involved in the sciences when he saw how I played with my toys. This year, after many tangible steps in my life, I will be embarking on a new journey, and I will be in my first year of Veterinary School. Along with the perseverance that I learned growing up with Cystic Fibrosis, the time I spent around the clinic gave me a fascination with diagnostics, science, and the way a clinic works. I combined that with hard work in my undergraduate degree and found myself spurred on even more towards my long-term goal of being a veterinarian. In summary, my life living with Cystic Fibrosis has looked a lot different than my peers. And that is okay! Through having separate requirements and spending time in the clinic, I learned a lot about my self-identity, determination, and love for science. My physicians have made a strong impact on me, and their example has further confirmed my desire to take that role in others' lives. While my future career as a veterinarian may look a little different than that of a medical doctor, the skills and informative experiences I had growing up with Cystic Fibrosis taught me about the impact a compassionate and knowledgeable physician can have on people, which is something I strive to continue as I become a veterinarian.