Meet the 2021 Scholars

"Living through a global pandemic with a chronic illness, what is one piece of inspirational advice that you would give to other students with CF who are in the same or similar position?"

As a high risk patient, quarantine entailed extreme isolation from the outside world for both me and my family. While it was comforting to know we were doing our part to stop the spread of the virus as well as keeping ourselves safe, early quarantine was definitely a very lonely time. It wasn’t until we started to virtually connect with others that the weight began to lift off our shoulders. Knowing I had CF, both our neighbors and members of local online support groups began messaging us asking if they could drop off supplies or make a grocery run for us. My teachers and virtual learning classmates made sure to drop off any textbooks or journals I’d need for schoolwork, and my little siblings received the same treatment. Perhaps the most important help I gained was from my CF Team at the RWJ Rutgers University Hospital. Through virtual Zoom appointments with everyone from my social worker to my dietician to my primary pulmonologist, I eventually felt safe enough to go back to school in a hybrid schedule. They constantly had my back and never treated me like a burden, rather as a member of their team. All of this kindness has made me realize that in situations like these, those of us with chronic illness can’t be afraid to lean on others more often than normal (figuratively, of course!). Reach out to others, become closer with your doctors, and receive the help that you and your families deserve!