Hi! I’m Anish. I’m a high schooler and I have cystic fibrosis. I live in San Jose, CA and sports have been an important part of my life since I was young. My parents’ proud smiles filled me with excitement as I played soccer, a sport my dad introduced me to at the age of 5. Soccer became a part of my life, but by 12, I began to feel overwhelmed by fatigue and uncontrollable coughing. My body no longer responded as it once had, and I was forced to leave the sport for my health. This left a void, which competitive swimming filled.

I had always enjoyed swimming, but it wasn’t until I had to leave soccer that I fully pursued it. Over two years, I went from a beginner to a competitive swimmer, mastering all four strokes and flip turns. But as practice became more intense, my body struggled again. The cold water felt painfully icy, and I was reminded of the exhaustion I had felt during soccer. Eventually, my health worsened, and I experienced a flare-up of fever, fatigue, coughing, and stomachaches that prevented me from swimming. Despite seeking answers from doctors, I began to think that cystic fibrosis may be my problem after researching my symptoms.

I finally received a cystic fibrosis test and confirmed this was the barrier to my athletic dreams. The diagnosis explained my struggles in both soccer and swimming, and I was told to limit my swimming drastically. This news crushed me, as it echoed the loss of soccer just two years earlier. Cystic fibrosis took away my passions and forced me to adapt to a new lifestyle.

However, I’ve come to realize that there are countless others facing similar challenges. My love for soccer and swimming taught me so many lessons, but most importantly, it opened my eyes to the need for awareness and support for those living with cystic fibrosis.

Through treatment, my parents have been instrumental in restoring my health. My experiences have inspired me to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis and create a more inclusive, hopeful environment. Like a baby’s first steps, I see my parents’ joy as I take my own steps toward making a difference, and I am determined to help others pursue their dreams despite their health challenges.