Douglas Harriman
My name is Douglas Harriman and I have cystic fibrosis. I was born in June of 1999 and I was diagnosed with this life changing disease at only 36 hours old after having bowel obstruction surgery. I would then be in the hospital for 11 days having different tests being conducted on me as I recovered from stomach surgery. Once I finally got home, the life of a kid with cystic fibrosis would begin. Living with CF has changed my life, as it must, but my brother, Samuel, and my parents, have been my biggest supporters, and the best people I could’ve asked for in this situation. From every hospitalization to every pill and treatment I take, my family and friends have been there every step of the way and I couldn’t be luckier.
I am very thankful to have friends and family who support me and my CF like they have it themselves. My parents have taught me for as long as I can remember, that everyone is dealing with something in their life and for me this “something” is cystic fibrosis. There is not a day that goes by that I do not recognize how grateful I am to have this something that allows me to look at life through a different lens. I don’t take anything for granted and I know life can change in the blink of an eye, I’ve experienced it. Since I was a little kid, my parents and doctors have made a conscious effort to make sure I am fully informed of everything about cystic fibrosis and everything that my body and life as a cystic fibrosis patient would go through, including the life expectancy. I am now 26 years old and I lived half of my life based on the statistics that my life expectancy was a little over 40 years old. At the age of 12, I was responsible for all my medications, administering them on my own, and I knew how to clean my nebulizer machine and nebs. All of which are things that most kids will never even have to understand or know about. As a little kid, and now as a young adult, I always want to set an example for everybody but most importantly for other people with CF, to prove that no matter what you have going on, it doesn’t have to hold you back from what you can achieve.
Advancements made in CF research have been instrumental in making my life as normal as possible. I have relied on my family and friends throughout this process, but I know that there are many living with CF that do not have the support and resources with which I am blessed. Donations to Great Strides will fund the life-saving mission of the CF Foundation and give hope for families who are just starting their journey with CF.
We will not rest until there is a cure for all people with cystic fibrosis. I hope you will consider donating and helping us make CF stand for Cure Found!
Thank you for your continued support!
I am very thankful to have friends and family who support me and my CF like they have it themselves. My parents have taught me for as long as I can remember, that everyone is dealing with something in their life and for me this “something” is cystic fibrosis. There is not a day that goes by that I do not recognize how grateful I am to have this something that allows me to look at life through a different lens. I don’t take anything for granted and I know life can change in the blink of an eye, I’ve experienced it. Since I was a little kid, my parents and doctors have made a conscious effort to make sure I am fully informed of everything about cystic fibrosis and everything that my body and life as a cystic fibrosis patient would go through, including the life expectancy. I am now 26 years old and I lived half of my life based on the statistics that my life expectancy was a little over 40 years old. At the age of 12, I was responsible for all my medications, administering them on my own, and I knew how to clean my nebulizer machine and nebs. All of which are things that most kids will never even have to understand or know about. As a little kid, and now as a young adult, I always want to set an example for everybody but most importantly for other people with CF, to prove that no matter what you have going on, it doesn’t have to hold you back from what you can achieve.
Advancements made in CF research have been instrumental in making my life as normal as possible. I have relied on my family and friends throughout this process, but I know that there are many living with CF that do not have the support and resources with which I am blessed. Donations to Great Strides will fund the life-saving mission of the CF Foundation and give hope for families who are just starting their journey with CF.
We will not rest until there is a cure for all people with cystic fibrosis. I hope you will consider donating and helping us make CF stand for Cure Found!
Thank you for your continued support!
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