One of the greatest lessons learned in raising a child with cystic fibrosis is the realization that you are not in this by yourself. For most parents, that overwhelming sense of solitude begins to fade the moment they walk into a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited care center and meet the medical team.
Married to Don and mother of Jack, 6, and Ellie, 4; Ellie has CF
What's next:Getting her Ellie settled into grade school
Likes:Raising money for the CFF each year at a pre-school bike-a-thon
Future Thoughts:“It’s not nurse and patient; it’s mother and child relationship that I want,” says this stay-at-home mother of two, echoing the sentiments of most CF parents. With that in mind, Laura and her husband are building a life full of everyday childhood joys for Ellie, and her older brother, Jack.
Married to Rick, and mother to Madison, 2, and 7-month-old Brayden; Brayden has CF
What's next:Building support in a small community unfamiliar with CF
Likes:Spending time with her children and her mom
Future Thoughts:Kristi wants to make sure that her 2-year-old daughter, Madison, doesn't feel overlooked when her baby brother, who has CF, receives more attention for his health. It's a balancing act many CF parents with more than one child understand.
Parents to Kyle, 23, Corey, 21, and Kayla, 14; all three have cystic fibrosis
What's next:Keeping Kayla committed to treatments during the rocky teens years
Likes:Spending time together on their family farm
Future Thoughts:The family keeps busy working on the dairy farm, a business that's been in the family for generations. Another effort passed on from father to child is a Bike-a-thon to benefit the CFF. DeeDee's father founded the community event over two decades ago, and it's still going strong.
One, two, three kids – all with CF. How does Rosemary do it? Time management and no messing around when it comes to treatment.
A working lawyer becomes a stay-at-home dad following his son's CF diagnosis.
Guiding a teenage daughter with CF through the emotional minefield of adolescence is no small matter.
Ella puts most princesses to shame. Let her enchant you!
One child with CF. One without. A brother’s story.
This mother’s experience with CF started long before her first child was diagnosed.
Get a behind-the-stethoscope peek at the minds and hearts of these CF nurses.
What does CF bring to a marriage? Brad and Lauren know.
Juggling the needs of three kids - one with CF - is never easy.
Parents often see their CF health care team as extended family.
It’s the news no parent expects to get about her unborn baby.
Like many young adults with CF, Brianna is outliving her initial prognosis.
When there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day, what can a parent do?
Keeping germs at bay, but letting the world in.
Len and Connie open their home and their hearts to their granddaughter who has CF.
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Movin' On - Movies, audio, and articles for adults living with cystic fibrosis