Megan Cravens September 2009
Megan Cravens is a twelve year old who enjoys everything from go-carts to the clarinet, so finding time to fit in management of her cystic fibrosis can be a challenge. We recently talked to her to learn a little bit more about how she and her family pitch in to manage CF with all of the other demands of being a busy pre-teen girl.
Tell us a little about yourself, Megan.
I live in the Midwest with my parents, two younger siblings and my furry family members: 3 dogs, 2 cats and one small hamster. I love reading, especially the Twilight novels, which I’m really enjoying right now, and playing sports. Something about me that isn’t obvious to people who just meet me is that I have CF. I’ve dealt with it my whole life, so it seems just normal to me, but it can be hard sometimes to manage with all the other things going on in my life.
What is a typical day in your life?
I wake up very early to take care of my medical routine first thing, which includes airway clearance, percussive therapy, oral medications and digestive enzymes. Because it’s so early in the morning, often my mom or dad sits with me to make sure I’m taking good breaths and keep me company in the morning. I like that they trust me enough to take care of myself, but it’s also nice to have them close by to hang out with me so early in the morning . After school, I have to do my treatments again and time it so that I can get my homework done at the same time, so I can meet up with my friends for my extracurricular activities. If I’m really busy with homework, my brother or sister will help out by bringing me my equipment or any medicines that I need.
What are some of the activities that keep you busy?
I have been playing sports since I was young, including baseball, gymnastics, basketball and even cheerleading at one point. I’m especially involved in volleyball, and excited to be joining a traveling club team. Besides sports, I’m in a youth group at church and have been a part of the Math Bowl, the Drama Club and tutoring younger students during recess at school. Something cool that I’m really proud of is that I just got selected to be the Secretary of my school. I also enjoy playing the clarinet. I’m involved in a lot of stuff, and it can be tiring sometimes, but it makes it easier for me to be on a schedule so I know that I have to do my treatments at a certain time every day. It’s also really fun to be involved in all my activities because I get to hang out with my friends.
Do you talk to your friends about having CF?
All of my friends know that I have cystic fibrosis and it’s really no big deal to them. They come to fundraising events with my family and me, and they know that I have to take my enzymes and do my breathing treatments. I prefer for them to think of me as a regular kid and that CF is just something that I have to deal with.
I know you are involved in raising money for CF research. What are some of the events you have held?
My family and I have held several CF dinners, called "Megan’s Wish," and we host them at a local Armory. We go to businesses in our town to ask them to donate items to be auctioned off during the meal and the proceeds go to CF research. We have also held a few events at local restaurants, like a pancake breakfast, which was really fun because my friends and I got to serve. We also host walks, and recently we were able to raise more than $8,000 at a walk in my hometown. This year I am hoping to help organize a Bingo for Breath event, which I think will be another fun way to work for a great cause!
What words of advice would you offer other patients with CF?
Go out there and live your life the way you want to live it. And do it with a smile!
Please note: The information contained in these Heroes of Hope™ Living with CF award recipient biographies is not regularly updated. The information only represents the point in time when the Heroes of Hope recipient was honored.
