My name is Petra. I am 19 years old and I live in Hungary. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) soon after I was born. I suffered from an intestinal blockage while in the womb which requires an operation after I was born. This was followed by many check-ups, and it was then that I was diagnosed with CF. 

Since then, I have experienced both sides of an early diagnosis. On one hand, I got the right treatment and medications from the start which meant my condition did not worsen, which I am incredibly thankful for. On the other hand, I spent the first 6 years of my life in blissful ignorance never knowing what life is like without the daily chores that a person with CF must go through every day. I thought that all kids my age had to use an inhalator and had all the same medications that I had to take at home.  

When I started primary school, reality hit. My classmates, and even one of my teachers, did not understand me and would mock me. This made me feel like I was less than others, like I was ‘faulty.’ I also had negative experiences with one of my doctors who accused me of not taking my medication on purpose and my parents of starving me. The reality was I was not able to gain weight easily unlike all their other patients. I was only 14 at the time and these experiences had a lasting effect on me. It still impacts me today. And this is exactly why I have joined the ELF Youth Group.

Why is joining the ELF Youth Group important to you?

Growing up I often felt excluded from my environment. I want to prevent this from happening to the younger generations which I hope I can do by sharing my experiences and using my voice. I would like to show young people that they are not alone, and that we are all worthy of living our lives and achieving our dreams. Together we can educate others so that they do not make the same mistakes my peers did.