Vines

As CFers, our disease is attached to us; wrapped around us like rose vines. Purple roses bloom on the vines, using its thorns to inject the rose’s sickly poison that slowly infects us. We fight every day to rid ourselves of these roses, no matter how unrelenting they may be. However, these vines not only tether itself to us, but it also tethers us to others with CF. We understand each other’s pains and struggles. We’re able to relate to their experiences and their constant fight against CF, and it creates a connection and bond unlike any other. We can help each other get through the toughest days, whether it be from CF complications, horrible infections, or mental struggles. All because we share those experiences, we too fight with it, and in turn, can help others do the same. In a way, these rose vines not only hurts us, but they can also heal us.

Trees

This piece is called "The Congregation" and it entwines bronchial trees together in community. Multicolored and multi shaped, the trees join together to overcome, bond, and celebrate. Phlegm and infection drip off the healing. Together the bronchial branches heal, grow and thrive more than they ever could alone.

Lungs

My lungs are indeed damaged. It is something that cannot be undone, something I have little control over. However, drawing this image I envisioned something else for my lungs, something I feel to have a little more control over. Each little unique shape represents the things I have pursued that make up my healing journey: exploring artistic outlets, therapy, finding everyday joy, and of course: community and all I have gained from it. If I have learned one thing from the CF Community it is this: We are stronger together. We need to keep collecting from one another: stories, art, advice, and laughter. These things are also represented in the shapes that make up the lungs. Each shape is not like the rest, but each is a treasured piece of joy or advice that someone else has given me. Let’s be collectors of our community, borrowing tools from one another and creating memories that help us all march toward fuller lives. As little control that we do have, pursuing community and stepping into healing is a beautiful choice that we do have.

Reaching Hands

This piece of art depicts hands unable to touch, but connected through a vine of roses. People with cystic fibrosis, as we call “cf-ers”, are not allowed to touch or be within 6 feet of each other due to fear of cross contamination of certain bacterias- as a result our relationships are mostly virtual. Most of us have never met face to face, but the thing that bonds us are the roses that represent cystic fibrosis. Some of my most important and deepest relationships are with people with CF. We have an understanding of the tribulations and great triumphs we have been through, that no one else would quite understand. It’s an unspoken bond that creates the CF community, and has helped to shape and mold some of the strongest and most authentic people I have ever (not physically) met. We aren’t just individuals each living with cystic fibrosis, we have become instant family.