We spoke to Alex, a young woman living with cystic fibrosis (CF), about her motivation for being an ambassador both online and in her community.
What inspires and motivates you to be an ambassador for CF?
As a CF patient, you have to stay positive. CF is life consuming and you can’t let it get the better of you. Therefore, I motivate other people living with CF to stay positive by doing what they love; whether it be a hobby, passion or their actual job. That way we are driven and motivated to keep going and stay strong. Working towards goals one-by-one is the best way to go. Without positivity, passion and motivation, there can really be nothing but gloomy hospital visits, CF symptoms and nasty chest infections.
What do you do as an ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA)?
Keeping my own hobbies, passions and interests, I aim to inspire those with any illness that no matter what, you can do what you want to do to the best of your ability. I include my daily CF routines and warrior wounds, like my PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line, in photos and show them off to the world!
How do you help to raise awareness for CF?
I include my CF in my social media posts. My hobby, passion and part-time work is MAKEUP. Yes, I am a makeup artist and I love to show off my true beauty. And my beauty includes CF. Unfortunate as it is, it is what it is, and what better way to raise awareness through one of social media’s biggest influence topics, “BEAUTY”.
Do you have a message you’d like to share with other people living with CF?
Us CF’ers, we are who we are, we have this illness we cannot fix, but we can maintain it. Therefore, stay positive, motivated and driven. Don’t give up on what makes you happy. Yes, we can dream, but not all dreams come true. So, eliminate the negative and surround yourself with happy and loving people. Without our health, we are nothing. Stay as healthy as you can. With a positive mind and setting yourself goals, you can do anything! Work smarter, not harder and be good to yourself.
Take a look at Alex’s Instagram Instagram.com/alexbronwynmua and Facebook Facebook.com/alexbronwynmua to stay up-to-date with her awareness raising.
How can you help?
Visit the CFWA Facebook and Instagram and like, follow and share! Don’t forget to tag us and hashtag #CysticFibrosisWA #65Roses when posting.
facebook.com/CysticFibrosisWA
instagram.com/cysticfibrosiswa
Article from RED Magazine, Edition 2, 2018.