People living with cystic fibrosis need your help!
Studies have shown that people living with CF are 2-3 times more likely to develop depression and anxiety symptoms.
For Sophie, after moving to Australia, getting married and welcoming a beautiful daughter, the realities of managing her CF along with the challenges of new motherhood soon became overwhelming.
"It was very challenging and exhausting managing being a new mum alongside my CF regime. I feel if I didn't have my 2 to 3 hours of treatments, I would have been managing pretty well but with my physio, nebulisers etc. in between breastfeeding, it was very draining and left me feeling depleted" says Sophie.
The next two years were the worst of Sophie's life. She was in and out of mental health facilities, required large amounts of psychiatric medications, hours of therapy and was admitted to 3 different hospitals on 4 different occasions.
Giving a gift this Christmas helps to ensure that we can continue supporting people like Sophie, who are impacted by cystic fibrosis and are also facing mental health challenges. CFWA provides a range of support services including in-home care workers, counselling subsidies and help with crisis support.
CFWA put a support worker in place to visit Sophie's home and provide support three times a week, and her physio team also helped over telehealth calls. Sophie eventually found strength thanks to the compassion of her support team, family and friends and is now enjoying life with her daughter, Daisy.
"With their help, I rediscovered my resilience and now enjoy every moment with my vibrant four-year-old. I am eternally grateful to CFWA for all the support they have provided me and my family and I wouldn't be where I am today without their support," she says.
