Through the Looking Glass
Images of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
This collection created by adults with
CF is unique in that it conveys the
personal feelings of CF adults living with this chronic
illness, rather than portraying an outsider's idea of
living life with a chronic illness. If some of these
images bother you, or impact you, they should. "Through
the Looking Glass" is an uncompromising and unflinching
statement about heavy emotional issues. If these images
bring you hope or inspiration, we are glad - for the
experience of life with Cystic Fibrosis is as unique as
the indivduals who are born with this illness, and it
brings a multitude of emotions into one's life. The
Breathing Room hopes, above all, that these images affect
you, and that you will remember them and find use for
their messages in your own life.
Select any of the images to begin your
tour.
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"I feel lucky to have found my mate
It was difficult but he found me
It never would have happened if
Our dogs had not frolicked together in the dog run
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"With the help of the thorn, the rose can survive"
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"You dirty mind,
my tongue is dirtier"
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"My Angels have had a full-time job watching over me and protecting me."
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"standing in the light"
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"twist...twist...twist"
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"we fight together"
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"Strong enough to look pain in the face and smile"
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""1,2,3,4" ... the band comes to life.
I hear the familiar 'clicka-clicka BOOM click' from the drums accompanied by the steady pulse of the bass.
The piano kicks in with a percussive carpet of chords.
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"sung along with my favorite songs, and danced with my girlfriends"
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"She realizes she will never really know which path is right for her
Her heart only tells her one thing
Her spirit will last much longer than her body ever could.
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"Here:
penetrated by cystic fibrosis,
mummified in skin,
wrapped up by bones,
knotted in place with muscles,
tightly tied,
all the alveoli
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"Breathe in
Breathe out
Hold on, live on
Balance
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"A synchronicity of beating arms"
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"Hey, what’s the deal with your fingers?
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"She has her own methods
for counteracting bad days,
those of shortness of breath,
fatigue and no appetite.
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"sixty-five spiraled wings"
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"sum of the elements, A U M"
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"I never believed I would find a friend like you,
But without you in my life,
I don’t know where I would be today."
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"Promise of a new heavens and new earth"
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"Water rushing upward between my fingers"
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"Hands bind
Like sunshine."
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"...and had part of their lung removed"
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"Solace puts her
arm around me"
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"Because in the long journey
It's a small anecdote
But our lives are our stories
CF is the sidenote"
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"independence and laughter"
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"One, two or three
heaping
teaspoonfuls of
sea salt?"
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"elegance, luxury, perfection"
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"I refer to my bike as my “road couch”"
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"Morning Comes...
My eyes open"
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"Magnificent tree
reaching upward toward the sky"
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"Missing yet another friend, who didn't make it
through."
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"Acceptance has settled, my world is all brand new"
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"My hunger for sustenance
will match your voracious appetite."
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"Nurse the pain with cool fresh liquid"
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"We may risk our lives on the dotted line."
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"This cord that binds me also frees me"
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"Pushing forward;
No guide to lead the way
Excited, yet Scary
The world is brand new
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