Joseph Komitor December 2008
Joseph Komitor thinks that when life gets tough, you just have to get tougher. "I think God gives each person what they are capable of," he says. "And he thinks I am capable of handling cystic fibrosis."
Though only 11, Joseph is wise beyond his years. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at age 18 months, Joseph faces his disease with a pragmatic and positive attitude and has managed, with the help of family and friends, to deal with the disease's challenges. He views every new obstacle as just one of life's curveballs, which can be handled with good strategies and hard work.
In many other respects, Joseph is just an average six grader who loves baseball, hanging out with his best friends and spending time with his loving and supportive family. During the winter, spring and summer, Joseph plays on three teams, his area's All Star Baseball Team, which is a team of the best players in the league, as well as his Little League team and the Cal Ripken League. He plays short stop, pitcher and center field. When not playing the game, Joseph teaches the game's fundamentals and sportsmanship in baseball clinics for younger children. "I teach them what I know, and they teach me things too," he says. Staying active helps him "keep his mind in a good place," build stamina and makes him feel stronger and healthier. In addition to baseball, Joseph lifts weights every other day and runs daily.
Besides baseball, Joseph participates in a competitive drama program through his school. He also enjoys writing poetry about nature, baseball and CF. In fact, his poem, "I Am a Yankees Player," was included within the 2007 The American Library of Poetry Collection, which featured outstanding student poetry from across the United States. You can check out Joseph's specially-recognized poem below.
In school, Joseph is also a shining star. He has been named student of the month every year since kindergarten. He won his school's Math Award in both third and fourth grade, and he also won the Social Studies Award for the state of New York in fifth grade. Joseph's says his favorite subject is social studies because he likes learning about people from the past, what they had to go through and what they accomplished.
Joseph, like most people with CF, has a rigorous daily medical routine. He must eat at least four meals a day, accompanied by enzymes for his pancreas, in order to ingest the number of calories he needs daily. He also does morning and evening nebulizer treatments, nasal passage irrigation, chest physiotherapy for 30 minutes, and takes many pills a day. In addition to his arduous daily medical routine, Joseph has persevered through two surgeries. The steadfast support of his family and friends helps Joseph keep up with his daily medial routine and endure his surgeries. He has an incredibly close relationship with his sister Lauren, 14, who shares his love of drama.
Joseph also attributes his health to the support and care of his CF physician as well as the nurses at his CF care center, Lynn, Sam, Jody and Ed, who have been with him every step of the way. His pediatrician Dr. Stephen Borchman has provided invaluable care and support to Joseph as well.
"Joseph is an amazingly positive and spirited kid despite everything he has gone through," says Dr. Joan DeCelie-Germana, a panel member for Heroes of Hope??? Living with CF and a CF physician. "Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of his CF, he sees it as a character building. He recognizes that he is a better person because of his CF."
I Am a Yankees Player
I am a Yankees player
I wonder if my team will win the World Series this year
I hear the manager talking about me
I see the line ups
I want to be a Yankee all my life
I am a Yankees player
I pretend I will never get traded
I feel sad when I am not playing
I touch my glove and ball
I worry about getting hurt
I cry when my teammates get traded
I am a Yankees player
I understand this could happen
I say I will be a Yankees player all my life
I try to forget this
I hope I will stay a Yankees player
I am a Yankees player
Please note: The information contained on these Heroes of Hope™ Living with CF award recipient biographies are not regularly updated. The information only represents the point in time when the Heroes of Hope recipient was honored.
