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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?"

Ever since I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at six months old, my life has been defined by a chronic disease. One that continuously reshapes my perspective on my challenges and purpose as I navigate both a mental and physical battle. The most grueling challenge came when my health reached an all-time low. Unlike in the past, a simple course of antibiotics wasn't enough to restore my lung function. This time, my lungs contained a bacterial infection called MAC, three letters that have the power to give any Cystic Fibrosis patient goosebumps. For the first time, I felt completely defeated, as if my own lungs had completely taken control of my life. Once winter break came, I was wheeled from a bronchoscopy procedure straight into a hospital room smaller than my living room. As I crossed the threshold of the room, I felt myself withdrawn from society, as if I had been placed in confinement. As I lay with my mom by my side, medications pumped into my veins as I silently lay in agonizing pain. As I scrolled through social media, I observed my friends enjoying their vacations. The contrast between our lives was isolating, as I watched the world move forward without me. Even on Christmas morning, my mother's enormous efforts to replicate a "normal" holiday ultimately felt unfamiliar. Past memories of celebrations only felt like a painful reminder of what Cystic Fibrosis had ripped away. Nonetheless, my final day in the hospital eventually came. As we were eagerly leaving, I passed other young patients, all alone in their rooms, with no festive decorations. Unlike my stay, many individuals lay surrounded by various tubes and cords, situated in slings, wound up like a fly caught in a spider's web. After fourteen years of fighting a terminal disease, I had never felt more privileged than in that moment. I witnessed individuals facing challenges that were far greater than my own or a single holiday. As we drove away from the hospital, this realization reshaped the way I approach Cystic Fibrosis. I couldn't remain upset that I had missed my favorite holiday, knowing that so many strong souls remained there, fighting for their lives. No one should have to suffer due to a lack of access to medical care or affordability. This journey led me to seek a way to advocate for other people with Cystic Fibrosis. Soon enough, I discovered an opportunity to voice my experiences directly to members of Congress through Teen Advocacy Day. There, I advocated for access to costly medications and lifesaving treatments that dramatically alter the trajectory of other patients' lives. However, the most rewarding part of these experiences is simply connecting with people with similar challenges and making others feel understood. While this doesn't impact medical improvements, the mental challenges can be equally as difficult. Ultimately, I remain driven to use the power of my voice and personal experiences to continue improving and uplifting the lives of people with Cystic Fibrosis.