What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Don’t worry, I get it all the time.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) primarily affects the lungs and digestive system due to a malfunction in the exocrine system that’s responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus. There is currently no cure.
From birth, a person with CF undergoes constant medical treatments and physiotherapy.
People with CF develop an abnormal amount of excessively thick and sticky mucus within the lungs, airways and the digestive system. This causes impairment of the digestive functions of the pancreas and traps bacteria in the lungs resulting in recurrent infections, leading to irreversible damage. Lung failure is the major cause of death for someone with CF.
Want to know more about CF? Click here.
My journey to becoming the national ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) wasn’t an easy one.
In 2008 I was approached to become the national ambassador for CFA. At this time I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready to face what was ahead of me, I wasn’t ready for the questions, the media and the lack of understanding. Most importantly I hadn’t achieved what I had set out to in my professional sporting career. In late 2010, I accepted this path of CF and how it affected me and was ready to inspire not only others with CF but anyone around the world who is in the face of adversity.
As it stands today, I am fortunate enough to be the only person with cystic fibrosis playing an elite contact sport, I have usedmy profile and playing professional rugby all over the world to spread my story and create a wider awareness of what CF is and how it affects people. Most importantly with a strong and healthy mindset you can live your life to the fullest.
Events
Jun
19
As you know I am passionate about supporting cystic fibrosis (CF) research and raising funds for health and exercise initiatives that will improve the lives of people with CF.
Next Event
