Voting Is Now OPEN

"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 taught me that the heaviest burdens are often invisible. I grew up carrying constant uncertainty and hidden fears, along with physical and emotional exhaustion I rarely showed. It seemed like nothing in my life felt guaranteed. My dreams became urgent and amplified. This experience has shaped how I see people. I have learned that everyone carries unseen struggles. I want to create art that gives voice to what is hard to say out loud. I believe art can become a language for emotions too complex or painful for ordinary words. Living with CF has made me deeply empathetic toward anyone who feels misunderstood, unseen, or invisible. I spent years fighting this disease behind closed doors. Only recently have I realized I do not have to fight alone. Through my work, I hope to offer others that same realization. I want to build spaces where people feel safe being honest about who they are and what they carry. My goal is simple yet vital. I want to make art that helps people feel heard and less alone. Cystic Fibrosis has shaped my life, but it has also given me a clear purpose. I will use creativity as a bridge for human connection and genuine understanding.