"Coping with Music" by Heather McCoy

Music is a universal language and it has given me a way of coping throughout my circumstances. I’m Heather McCoy and I live with Cystic Fibrosis. Throughout my life I’ve faced tremendously difficult things, but I have kept my perseverance and determination. Music was something that I was able to pick up on my own. As a self taught musician, music brings me joy and a way of coping. I started with guitar as an early teen and now at almost 33 I play drums and write music. I have made so many connections over the years because of it. Ashley, for example, is a friendship I am always thankful to have. I like to express myself through my work. I have had two double lung transplants and recently received a kidney transplant in April 2025. Throughout my kidney journey of waiting for a transplant I wrote so many songs. I have them out on digital platforms. It would make sense that one of my favorite things to do is attend live music. I believe it is so important to both mental and physical wellbeing to find something you can be passionate about. I also stay physically active which is important for someone living with chronic illness, but it is also beneficial for anyone. I find so much empowerment by sharing my story with others and that’s why I wrote a book “Between The Salty Lines” and I am currently working on another one. I want people to see my story as a beacon of hope. I want to encourage them to not let their circumstances define them but to give them the strength to push forward. I truly believe if you live with hardships it doesn’t mean you have to be bitter. In fact, you can use those hardships to stumble upon your own strength and live life to the fullest. That is exactly how I live my life through everything I do. I never take anything for granted and I have so much gratitude in my heart for life itself.