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Ian Paddock // Phoenix, NY // Age: 34
Riding my bike lets me workout my lungs and body and also makes me feel like I am doing something outside of therapy and medications to treat my condition. I also enjoy swimming in our pool during the summer months. By staying active in these things I continue to prove to myself that I am beating Cystic Fibrosis. It is important to me to maintain my current state of health so that I can continue to support my wife, daughter, and home.
Photo: Working out on an exercise bike that I built/modified to produce electricity. |
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Zachary Schwarz // Charlotte, NC // Age: 15
Golf is both physically and mentally challenging, and its fun to do. Golf helps me physically by keeping my lungs clear and breathing strong. Golf helps me mentally because I have to think about what shot it is and where I am going to hit the ball.
Photo: 2009- On the driving range, practicing. |
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Shailynn Snyder // Cortland, OH // Age: 8
So far the only activity I have tried is softball. It made me really happy and excited and the exercise helped me build up more muscles. It is a lot of fun an I get to make new friends. I want to show people that my CF does not make me different. I can do the same things they can do. I would really like to try dance, gymnastics and baton. I get excited just thinking about trying these new activities. These things will help my CF by building my muscles and lungs. Exercise is good for my CF!
Photo: Softball- picture day. |
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Kaitlyn Vargas // Chester, VA // Age: 11
My favorite activity is gymnastics. It keeps me active and my lungs healthy. I have a lot of fun doing it and learning new tricks. I am also able to make lots of friends. I do my physical therapy at home at least twice a day and used to jump on a trampoline. We had to leave the trampoline behind when we moved so for now I have to do my tricks on the grass. I would really like to start taking gymnastics and become a competitive gymnast. I know that all the bouncing and jumping around will keep my lungs healthy, and hopefully keep me hospital free!
Photo: 2009- Doing splits at a fair event. |
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Michael Callanan // Westwood, NJ // Age: 35
I always feel good, mentally, after skiing because I feel like I have met a challenge, even if I haven’t done as well as I would have liked. I am an adult with CF who is very active and tries to find and participate in activities that are beneficial to lung function and muscle development, this helps put on, and maintain weight. I would like to use this grant for swimming. I feel this activity will improve my strength and overall psychological health. Getting past the physical hurdle of staying strong and healthy will boost my mental health significantly.
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Kyle O’Tain // New York, NY // Age: 23
Working out, weightlifting, and running are things that helped me significantly while attending college. I was able to gain muscle and weight as well as strengthen my lungs through running. I also noticed that when I am staying active my immune system is much stronger. I am very aware of the importance that exercise plays in my health and I am committed to these exercises. The positive effects of exercise are crucial to my health. The exercise routine I do also forces me to eat right, drink water, and get sleep to balance the physical exertion.
Photo: Working out. |
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Azer Wahab // Bedford, TX // Age: 5
(Written by his Mom) Ever since Azer could throw a ball, I noticed he had very good aim. When I bought him his first baseball glove from a yard sale, I didn’t know how much he would use it. He wore it every where, he would copy the players on TV, and generally talk only about baseball… I believe that Azer benefits a lot from playing baseball. It seems he doesn’t cough at all when he has been running bases, or getting a work out when throwing balls with people… Azer also benefits from making friends with the other children on the team. Azer seems to enjoy telling the other kids when he coughs, and tries to explain to the parents what Cystic Fibrosis is. He seems to have so much confidence in talking to people about CF. Azer also benefits from baseball mentally. He seems so happy when he is in the dugout, or out in the field.
Photo: Tee ball- playing the outfield, waiting for a ball. |
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