Meet Margaret

When I was seven, getting diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) felt like I was suddenly caught in a storm. One minute, I was just a kid who loved running and playing outside, and the next, I was learning to live with hospital stays, breathing treatments, inhalers, and a lot of medication. It was like everything changed overnight. My parents had to quickly become experts in CF, figuring out new treatments, special diets, and ways to manage my health. It felt like we were in a maze without a clear way out.

My family has been amazing through all of this. My mom always knew how to make tough days a little brighter. When I couldn’t go outside to play, she’d come up with fun indoor games to keep me busy. My dad turned into a great cook, making yummy meals that fit my special diet. And my little sister? She was my constant source of laughter, coming up with goofy games and jokes that made me smile even on my hardest days.

School wasn’t always easy. Some classmates were understanding about my frequent absences and the coughing that came with CF, but others didn’t always get it. Still, I found a group of friends in the photography club who saw me for who I really was—a creative person who loved taking pictures. With their encouragement, I entered photo contests and even won a few! Balancing my health and my passion for photography wasn’t always easy, but I learned how to make it work.

Living with CF has taught me that resilience and creativity can help you find joy, even in tough times. It’s okay to have bad days, but don’t let them stop you from finding your passion. It’s also really important to take care of your mental health. Some days, it might feel like everything is too much to handle, but reaching out to friends, family, or even a counselor can help you feel less alone. Talking about your feelings and finding healthy ways to cope is a big part of staying strong, both mentally and physically.

I hope my story can give encouragement to anyone going through something similar. Your condition doesn’t define you. There’s a whole world out there full of opportunities waiting for you. So, keep pushing forward, find what makes you happy, and always lean on the people who care about you.