I grew up in a family that has always been a bit different the others. On top of being raised in a blended and mixed family, I was also raised with the lingering concern of my sister and her disease. At times, it always seemed as though my family's home was in the hospital.
My sister was born with a tragic disease: cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the lungs. It causes mucus to build up inside of her lungs, making it extremely difficult to breathe. Due to the breathing difficulties caused by this disease, the life expectancy of a CF patient is 37.5 years.
Back when my sister was born, the life expectancy was 13 years. It was extremely hard on my father. At that time, she was my father's first and only child. My father felt that there was not a lot of help out there for parents and children with this disease until he found out about various organizations to help support my sister and others with the illness.
Two organizations that have truly been helpful are the Make-A-Wish foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CF). The Make-A-Wish foundation helps children with illness receive one wish to do whatever they want. Through them, my sister was able to pursue a dream of going to a gummy bear factory with her mother.
Through the CF foundation, people with the disease are able to have walkathons in their name and find support systems. The CF walkathons are held annually at the Ravens stadium. During these walkathons, family, friends and supporters are able to walk around the stadium and enjoy free music and drinks in the Ravens Club area.
Having these organizations in our life has been able to bring hope to my sister Ashley and my family during some of our most difficult times. These support systems were especially helpful when she was in the hospital in 2012. Ashley was in the hospital for two months and pregnant with her miracle baby, Preslee. She was truly fighting for her life as she couldn't speak and could only move her body lightly.
There was a time when she was so close to dying. The doctors asked if Ashley wanted to give up her baby Preslee for better survival. Ashley quickly said no, as having a baby with cystic fibrosis is extremely difficult that those who do end up carrying often have a miscarriage.
It took her months to recover, but now she is as healthier than she has ever been. Still living with the disease, she still lives the best she can with her now 3-year-old daughter, Preslee.
Having to deal with a disease like cystic fibrosis can be extremely heartbreaking. Having organizations like Make-A-Wish and the CF foundation has really helped my family to celebrate the good times and guide us through the challenging times.
