April 2009

Chad Brown

“No matter what, never give up.  It is your life, and you only have one, so take charge and do with it what you will.”

I was diagnosed with CF when I was only one day old.  I was always treated very differently and in many ways babied.  This temporarily helped me cope with my disease; however, it eventually took a negative toll on me.  I really was not affected by CF until I was about 21 years old.  It was all downhill from there for about four years.  As a result of not taking care of myself, I was in and out of the hospital all the time and was eventually put on the transplant list. 

As a result of insurance issues, I eventually moved to Seattle, where my life began to change.  With the help from the doctors at the University of Washington Medical Center, I was able to get a new lease on life.  The thing that made the biggest impact on me was being disciplined with my treatments and exercise.  I quickly realized that the more I exercised, the more my health improved.  For me, swimming has kept me alive and healthy.  When I first started swimming, I could barely swim a lap.  I now swim five days a week for about 45 minutes each time and am feeling great!  My FEV1, which were at one point in the high 20s, are now at 58 percent, and I have more energy than ever.

Now, I am pursuing a college degree in engineering, working 30 hours a week, involved in a great relationship and looking ahead to marriage and starting a family.  Life is good!

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite Food: Chicken
Favorite Pastime: Going to baseball games
One Word that Describes You: Committed
Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams
Favorite Music: Blues
Dream Vacation: Germany