Colleen Lewton
This year on my birthday, I will be hiking 13.1 miles to support William and the CF Foundation. There is nothing I would rather do this year on my birthday than support William and be in God's Creation while doing it.
Cecilia and two close friends went with me on our first Xtreme practice hike. We hiked 6 miles in the George Washington Forest, and I need to work up to 13.1 miles by my birthday. In the picture above, I am holding a walking stick that William and another close friend carved for me. I am not sure why, but I was actually surprised at the emotion that I felt while holding that stick and taking the first few steps of this practice hike, surrounded by people who know exactly what we experience every day while fighting this disease. Feeling the support from others who understand is amazing, and holding that walking stick that William made for me gave me the courage to keep trekking up those hills, even when I felt tired. I would think, "If William can endure all that he does each day, feeling the way he feels, and continuing on, so can I." I am grateful for the strength that I can pull from William and his life challenges. He inspires me and makes me strive to be better in many ways, and I can only imagine this will continue and only get stronger.
There have been times during my parenting journey that I say something to my kids, and it's me who needs it more. When I talk to William about discipline in managing his chronic degenerative disease and having resilience and perseverance when it feels challenging are words I need to be practicing myself. How can I expect William to do and be something that I am not willing to do myself? This hike is a personal challenge for me as I have let my discipline slip in the last several years. William is an inspiration to me as I have the honor to witness his life every day. He fights his disease by taking on daily responsibilities to care for himself and overcomes obstacles along the way.
William just rode over 112 miles this past month. He is doing awesome with his own training goal for his over 30 mile bike ride in October!
Thank you for your support and the love that you show us as we continue this journey. It started in a dark hole, but has grown to a place of learning, inspiration, positive actions, and trust in God. There is a long way to go, but it feels good to continue moving in this direction.
With love and gratitude,
Colleen
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. I’m hiking to help change that reality.
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.
Every person born with cystic fibrosis is on a unique journey and experiences this challenging disease differently. While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.
Cecilia and two close friends went with me on our first Xtreme practice hike. We hiked 6 miles in the George Washington Forest, and I need to work up to 13.1 miles by my birthday. In the picture above, I am holding a walking stick that William and another close friend carved for me. I am not sure why, but I was actually surprised at the emotion that I felt while holding that stick and taking the first few steps of this practice hike, surrounded by people who know exactly what we experience every day while fighting this disease. Feeling the support from others who understand is amazing, and holding that walking stick that William made for me gave me the courage to keep trekking up those hills, even when I felt tired. I would think, "If William can endure all that he does each day, feeling the way he feels, and continuing on, so can I." I am grateful for the strength that I can pull from William and his life challenges. He inspires me and makes me strive to be better in many ways, and I can only imagine this will continue and only get stronger.
There have been times during my parenting journey that I say something to my kids, and it's me who needs it more. When I talk to William about discipline in managing his chronic degenerative disease and having resilience and perseverance when it feels challenging are words I need to be practicing myself. How can I expect William to do and be something that I am not willing to do myself? This hike is a personal challenge for me as I have let my discipline slip in the last several years. William is an inspiration to me as I have the honor to witness his life every day. He fights his disease by taking on daily responsibilities to care for himself and overcomes obstacles along the way.
William just rode over 112 miles this past month. He is doing awesome with his own training goal for his over 30 mile bike ride in October!
Thank you for your support and the love that you show us as we continue this journey. It started in a dark hole, but has grown to a place of learning, inspiration, positive actions, and trust in God. There is a long way to go, but it feels good to continue moving in this direction.
With love and gratitude,
Colleen
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. I’m hiking to help change that reality.
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.
Every person born with cystic fibrosis is on a unique journey and experiences this challenging disease differently. While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.
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