Great Strides 2025: Ry's story of navigating cystic fibrosis as a freshman
Tricia Messmer
Fundraising for Colorado Springs Great Strides
Tricia Messmer
Join us May 17 at 9 AM | Pi\361on Valley Park
Walk the loop or enjoy the hike, make a donation to help find a cure, or pray for our girl's journey -we would LOVE to have you with us!
Navigating cystic fibrosis as a freshman:
Ryleigh entered high school with nearly 2,000 students knowing only two of her closest friends and big brother, Cole. This small circle is the only one with a shared history, the only ones who know the fullness of her story, and who've been entrusted with the sensitive reality of her life with cystic fibrosis. Significant contrast from last year. There has always been the unspoken familiarity of peers knowing when Ryleigh's body was shutting down, weak, or struggling to recover from illnesses.
First semester was especially difficult for Ryleigh. She began the school year recovering from a concussion that impacted her cognitive abilities in the classroom. On top of that, she faced recurring respiratory illnesses that kept her out of school for days at a time, leading to an increase in doctor visits and additional hours of pulmonary care at home. The combination of high school academic stress and a taxed immune system made her even more vulnerable to illness. She continues quarterly clinics with her pulmonary team at Children's Hospital in Denver-appointments that often took up most of the day. And amidst it all, she has taken the initiative to stay connected with friends from last year.
While we've always been open about her diagnosis, Ryleigh has chosen a bit more anonymity around her CF with peers during this transitional season-and we fully support that choice, as long as she has a trusted few at school with whom she feels safe being vulnerable ... not out of pity or weakness but genuine care.
The shift has been scary and hard. But even through the challenges, it's been beautiful to watch Ry discover new things about herself and the world around her-with such grace and confidence.
This year, I was reminded that 9th graders are in a category of their own-so focused on self-discovery that mutual support often falls to the side. And for someone like Ryleigh-who's always been a "ride or die" kind of friend-this hit hard. Her phone was filled with messages and calls from friends venting about change or asking for support, but few checked in on her. All very normal and will shift with maturity.
Ry is strong. She wears that strength well. But even strong girls need space to not be okay. My biggest prayer for Ryleigh is that she finds a closer community at school where she feels safe enough to be transparent-where 'I'm fine' isn't the end of the conversation, but an invitation for deeper connection and support when life gets hard. I pray she connects with peers who share her faith and help her remember that it's okay to feel sad, scared, or hurt. Most of all, I want her to never be ashamed or afraid of being authentic while embracing who God created her to be-including her life with CF. There's beauty hidden in the messy and the hard-if we're willing to open our eyes and see it.
Fighting the pride of being medically dependent dissipated years ago when I came to terms with the fact that without CF medications, she may not be with us today ... but she is here to prove that medical advances in the CF community are making a difference!!!
Still, many of her CF peers haven't responded well to the same meds. While Ryleigh is navigating high school, they're fighting just to breathe-enduring hospital stays, hours of daily treatments, or waiting for a lung transplant. Some are struggling to find hope as they watch others thrive.
That's why we continue raising awareness and funds-because CF continues to steal breath from so many.
We are incredibly grateful for each of you and your support over the years!!!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
\u202d\u202dJer 29\u202c:\u202d11\u202c \u202dNIV
What is cystic fibrosis: CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs. CF makes it difficult to breathe and fight life-threatening infections, often leading to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure.
Walk the loop or enjoy the hike, make a donation to help find a cure, or pray for our girl's journey -we would LOVE to have you with us!
Navigating cystic fibrosis as a freshman:
Ryleigh entered high school with nearly 2,000 students knowing only two of her closest friends and big brother, Cole. This small circle is the only one with a shared history, the only ones who know the fullness of her story, and who've been entrusted with the sensitive reality of her life with cystic fibrosis. Significant contrast from last year. There has always been the unspoken familiarity of peers knowing when Ryleigh's body was shutting down, weak, or struggling to recover from illnesses.
First semester was especially difficult for Ryleigh. She began the school year recovering from a concussion that impacted her cognitive abilities in the classroom. On top of that, she faced recurring respiratory illnesses that kept her out of school for days at a time, leading to an increase in doctor visits and additional hours of pulmonary care at home. The combination of high school academic stress and a taxed immune system made her even more vulnerable to illness. She continues quarterly clinics with her pulmonary team at Children's Hospital in Denver-appointments that often took up most of the day. And amidst it all, she has taken the initiative to stay connected with friends from last year.
While we've always been open about her diagnosis, Ryleigh has chosen a bit more anonymity around her CF with peers during this transitional season-and we fully support that choice, as long as she has a trusted few at school with whom she feels safe being vulnerable ... not out of pity or weakness but genuine care.
The shift has been scary and hard. But even through the challenges, it's been beautiful to watch Ry discover new things about herself and the world around her-with such grace and confidence.
This year, I was reminded that 9th graders are in a category of their own-so focused on self-discovery that mutual support often falls to the side. And for someone like Ryleigh-who's always been a "ride or die" kind of friend-this hit hard. Her phone was filled with messages and calls from friends venting about change or asking for support, but few checked in on her. All very normal and will shift with maturity.
Ry is strong. She wears that strength well. But even strong girls need space to not be okay. My biggest prayer for Ryleigh is that she finds a closer community at school where she feels safe enough to be transparent-where 'I'm fine' isn't the end of the conversation, but an invitation for deeper connection and support when life gets hard. I pray she connects with peers who share her faith and help her remember that it's okay to feel sad, scared, or hurt. Most of all, I want her to never be ashamed or afraid of being authentic while embracing who God created her to be-including her life with CF. There's beauty hidden in the messy and the hard-if we're willing to open our eyes and see it.
Fighting the pride of being medically dependent dissipated years ago when I came to terms with the fact that without CF medications, she may not be with us today ... but she is here to prove that medical advances in the CF community are making a difference!!!
Still, many of her CF peers haven't responded well to the same meds. While Ryleigh is navigating high school, they're fighting just to breathe-enduring hospital stays, hours of daily treatments, or waiting for a lung transplant. Some are struggling to find hope as they watch others thrive.
That's why we continue raising awareness and funds-because CF continues to steal breath from so many.
We are incredibly grateful for each of you and your support over the years!!!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
\u202d\u202dJer 29\u202c:\u202d11\u202c \u202dNIV
What is cystic fibrosis: CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs. CF makes it difficult to breathe and fight life-threatening infections, often leading to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure.
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