:: BACKGROUND CHECK

My name is Farrel, I'm 29 years old and I live in Fort Worth, Texas. I work as the public relations rep and volunteer coordinator for Miracle League DFW, a baseball league for children with disabilities that's backed by my favorite sports team, the Texas Rangers, and I spend my free time indulging in live music, photography, traveling and spending time with the people that make me happiest. I also have a boyfriend, Mike, and an 8-year-old furbaby, Biscuit, who make my world go 'round. What you would never know by simply seeing me is that I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic terminal illness that primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems of 30,000 people in the United States and 75,000 people worldwide. A faulty gene produces abnormally thick mucus that clogs the lungs and obstructs other vital organs, resulting in dangerous lung infections, lack of oxygen and malnutrition. To date, the average life expectancy of CF patients is 37 years old; There is no cure.

I strongly believe that I was placed on this earth to help those less fortunate than myself A) By being there for them in every way possible and B) By doing my part to aid in finding a cure for this devastating disease, whether it be by fund-raising, guest-speaking at events to raise awareness or simply echoing other CF patients' thoughts and fears in this blog. I'm thankful to say that despite being frequently ill, CF has never kept me down for long. Many of my friends haven't been so lucky, and I fight to this day not only for myself, but for them and for the friends and families they've left behind. I also fight alongside some amazing people who I am proud to call my fellow CFers...They give me courage when I'm scared and hope when I doubt. I love them and I owe them my sanity :)

I also believe that if there is one lesson to be learned and adhered to in life, it's that life is too short to not be ridiculously happy for every single moment of it.

"If one person breathes easier because I lived, I will have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson 
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