No one wants to hear bad news. There’s nothing worse on the face of the planet than to hear that there is something seriously wrong with your child. I know this feeling all too well. When my daughter was just 11 days old, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a fatal genetic disease.
On that day my newborn was given a death sentence. I was devastated and broken, but as I began asking our doctors questions, I found some hope. I was told that treatments for this disease have come a long way in the last 20 years and that researchers, including some at Cincinnati Children’s, were working tirelessly to try to find a cure for the disease. I decided then that I was going to fight this disease, too. I got involved with the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, learned all I could about the disease, and became my daughter’s advocate. I took an active role in her care. She’s now 6 years old and thriving.
Although receiving this earth-shattering news felt like the end of the world, the pain lessened with time. After the initial shock settled, a very deep sadness ensued. In spite of this, I realized that I had a choice—I could sit back and let cystic fibrosis beat my family or I could fight it. Even though my heart was broken, since then I’ve seen how amazingly strong my daughter is. She’s taught me to appreciate life like I never did before. Together we fight cystic fibrosis and celebrate every victory over the disease, knowing that we are one day closer to a cure.
Sarah Kaupp is an amazing young woman who has a tremendous outlook on life. Her experiences have made her into a very generous, caring person. With determination and a sense of humor, she helps her daughter,family, friends. and countless others, not only in Cystic Fibrosis awareness, but encouragement in life’s difficult times.
She is someone I greatly admire and love!