Here is a dude who is secure in his cystic fibrosis. Ronnie was the first CF blogger – Run Sickboy Run – who Beautiful started following last year. She started so early in his writing, he was still just writing about waking up, trying to walk/run, and rinse and repeat. He’s come a long way since those early days and has literally inspired hundreds, if not thousands of CFers to take better care of themselves through his transparent writing about living life with CF.
Ronnie, this Bud’s post’s for you.
There are a few things you need to know about Ronnie:
- he’s outgoing and open about his CF
- he’s pretty darn healthy because he works so hard at it
- he just got hitched to someone who, by everything I’ve read, is cut from the same cloth as my wife
- is as driven as the day is bright in Arizona, where they live
He is an incredible promoter of CF, founding Cystic Life. Oh, you’ve heard of it? Yeah, so have over 6,000 other people at this point. He’s like a rock star or something for CFers. It’s a place for CFers to meet and greet, blog, ask questions, and more. It’s like a private Facebook for CFers and their families.
Ronnie opened up the floor to Mandi a number of months ago and the conversations exploded with readers who are interested in the ever-complex CFer/non-CFer relationship jungle. CFers who find someone to be with for the rest of their (long) lives are among the most blessed and constantly consciously appreciative companions I think God created and I believe their partners to be the most understanding and giving. We have been looking into their lives for months – then he popped the question – she said “yes” – and now they’re married. We got to watch it all happen. I’m grinning as I write this.
Along with Beautiful convincing me to take better care of myself because my stats can go up with exercise and gaining weight, it was Run Sickboy Run that put some proof in that pudding. He posted his pulmonary numbers. He wanted accountability for his exercise. He “showed me the money,” to say. The last piece of the puzzle to get me turned around was reading the study that I put in this article: Normal Weight Affects Lung Function in Cystic Fibrosis.
After reading a well-managed blog that was just about CF, I knew I could do it, too. I was going for a professional writing degree and had been blogging since 2004, after all… I felt like I finally had both the credentials and the attitude of transparency to blog almost entirely about CF. I wasn’t sure he could keep up with me after I started, but he has! We rarely overlap topics, too, because the things to discuss, ponder, and celebrate are so widely varied. We check out Run Sickboy Run every day to see what they are up to, don’t you?
Personally, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two Sharpe people. I know it will be great, so start following their lives if you aren’t already.
Ronnie was one of the first CF blogs I started following sometime last year. He has inspired me in more ways then I can even list. Mostly, he has taught me the importance of CF awareness. Before meeting Ronnie, I never told any one about having CF. It was through Ronnie that I realized the importance of being apart of the CF community and sharing my story with others. He is amazing. And that Mandi…she is simply an angel on earth! Nice post.
I concur. Thanks for leaving a warm note for them.
It is you adult Cfers that help us parents that have kids with CF parents. I can go to Cystic Life and ask questions and not feel weird or stupid. I like being able to go some where and ask questions to people that get it and can help. Thanks again to you and Ronnie
You're welcome any time! You can even use my contact form and I'll do an
“Ask Fatboy” feature if you want, thinking it's something other parents will
want to check out.
Thanks! We're in the same boat, then, though, outside of this site and Twitter, I'm still pretty quiet about my CF.
I found your blog through Ronnie….I am a CF momma, my son Kaleb is 9 w/cf. Glad to read and meet you! My blog is http://www.kristibowers.blogspot.com
Glad to have you around. Welcome. A friend if Ronnie is a friend of mine.
I haven't even read this post yet, I'm just so glad to find you! My husband has CF and is constantly fighting his weight. I can't wait to read through your blog and see what is working for you. I found you through Run Sickboy.
You are welcome here to read all you want and to ask any question. If the
question is one you want answered in a comment, leave it there. If you want
a full-blown article response, send it to me via the contact form with
permission to write it up.
Welcome!
You might also want to check out my wife's site, since you have CFer hubbies in common – she's in the sidebar: Kristin Petersen in a nice red outline.