How Cystic Fibrosis Affects Me
Channel: Daniel Arnaz
Date: 2015-11-20

My name is Daniel Carlson. I am #LucilleBall and #DesiArnaz' Great Grandson. Cystic Fibrosis that is inherited and family passed down genetic illness that men in my family tree (Arnaz) had before me. Very important men in our history and in my life, my great-uncle and my great-grandfather Desiderio Arnaz II and Desi Arnaz III . Here's a little on how I manage to live every day with Cystic Fibrosis.  There's that old saying "Move it or lose it." I have found that goes with ALL medical ailments." I am in need of medical necessity, or I will continue to take years off of my life.  I HAD to condense my message on here, as I have several medical issues and while they all blend together, Cystic Fibrosis is my issue. I had to type this out and read it. As I felt it important to stay on task in one direction. I have the size for #NFL and I have the passion for the game. I have to make it up to the league to give my mama the opportunity to rest and not stress and to pay her back for all the sacrifices she's had to make for me in order to care for me. She's my rock, she deserves the best. All mama's do. Their jobs are hard and thankless.  I have to take care and provide a future for her and my little sister.

In my case when it comes to my CF. My lungs fill up with fluid every day when I am in a flare up. It's really scary feeling like your lungs are trying to suffocate you. I expel between 24-38 oz of fluid in my lungs daily.  

I require special supplements as my body does not produce certain enzymes like other's do. I deplete in Magnesium and Potassium quickly so I have to replenish all day long. My little sister is growing in to the same things as she is part my mom and my dad. It's important that she keeps her supplements up or she will be like me when she gets older. My mom found a way to keep me illness free and created her own regime. It works!  My dad suffers genetically from certain things and hasn't tested yet that we know of but, it's a very serious illness.  If more people were diagnosed with the illness and get it under control the better off people like me would be as illnesses would be contained. It's something I am passionate about.

I miss a LOT of school. Not by choice. I am penalized for it. My grades reflect the mess. I have to home/tutor school as back up plans so that I keep the grades up consistently with my schooling or I would be in a world of hurt. According to Illinois state law, I shouldn't be penalized, it's something that my family advocate is working with ISBE on to work with educating schools on illnesses like mine that are convalescent. I shouldn't be penalized as it's NOT something I can control. I feel like my illness causes discrimination.  It's hard to explain. My body holds me prisoner and I am constantly every single day fighting the chains that bind me.