How will I deal with school and my social life?
First thing is that Cystic Fibrosis does not affect your mental abilities in any way. You should perform at the same level as everyone else.As you know, keeping up with school work can be difficult when you have to stay in the hospital for months at a time. However, some hospitals have teachers and school room faculties to help you stay on track with your studies.
When should I tell others I have CF?
It is allot easier to have people to talk to about CF then not talking to anybody. If you feel the person will listen and will give you support, I think you should tell that person. The best people to talk to is your parents or close friends. They will usually give you the support you need. The best people to talk to is others just like you and me who have CF.
Why is it important to tell my friends that I have CF?
It is important to tell your friends so that you can have moral support. If your friends have don't know you have Cystic Fibrosis, they will annoy you with questions about everything. They may wonder about your cough or all the pills you take. They may realize something is wrong and want to know how they can help you. Telling your friends sometimes may benefit you. For example, if you forget to take your pills, your friends may remind you and you won't get sick. Yes, everyone does forget at least once to take their pills.
Why should I tell my teachers about my disease?
It is very important to tell your teachers or college instructors about you having Cystic Fibrosis. There may be times when you have to go to the hospital for weeks or months. The teacher and instructors will understand that you have to miss school and most of the time, you can make up the work. If the teacher doesn't know you have CF, it can create allot of problems when it comes to making up work. For example, I almost had to miss final test for my college, but lucky I recovered and was able to take my finals. If I wasn't able to take my finals and I didn't tell my teachers about my disease, I would not of been able to make up the tests which would of put me back a whole semester. So it is important to tell your teachers.
Can I go on class trips?
It is always nice to go on a trip and learn new things and see new places. If is a short trip, two days, just make sure you have all you medication with you. For a long trip, here is three things to remember before you go.
 | Make an appointment to meet with your doctors to make sure you are in the best possible health. |
| Have all your medications refilled. |
| For younger kids with CF, have your parents write a letter for the trip guide which gives them permission to authorize medical assistance. The letter should list your doctor's name, all your medications and any medications you are allergic to. And don't forget to have the letter signed and notarized. |
