"Milestones and Pathways" by Michelle Herpolsheimer
Turning 50 was supposed to be a milestone. I mean, it IS a milestone, yes. I have lived with the thought that I might never see 50. Instead, I have, and it reminded me how far I've come.
Living with cystic fibrosis has meant navigating a life that doesn't always look like everyone else's. There have been treatments, appointments, medications, hospital stays, setbacks, and days when simply getting through the day felt like an accomplishment. But there have also been moments of strength, growth, laughter, and reasons to keep moving forward.
I can't tell this story without mentioning that I couldn't have done it without determination, hard work, and 3 pills (Trikafta) added to my daily regimen since 2019. And at an age when some people might be thinking about slowing down, I decided to return to full-time work (2021) after not working since 2009, and to return to school (in 2022).
I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) and went on to obtain my Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential at age 50.
It wasn't easy.
Going back to school as an adult came with challenges. Balancing coursework, full-time work, practicum, responsibilities, and my health required planning, flexibility, and a willingness to ask for help or to take those days off when my body said “not today.” Some days, my body (and mind) was exhausted, but I still needed to complete my assignments. There were times when I wondered whether I had taken on too much. There were also some days where I would think to myself, “How am I even doing this?”
But I kept going.
Living with cystic fibrosis has taught me lessons that no classroom ever could.
I learned what it feels like to be vulnerable. I learned how important it is to have someone listen without judgment. I learned how overwhelming the healthcare system can be and how much a compassionate professional can mean to someone who is struggling. I met amazing people who are now in my inner circle and cohorts I will forever call friends.
Those experiences helped shape my decision to pursue social work.
I didn't want my experiences with chronic illness to define me, but I also didn't want to pretend they hadn't shaped me. They gave me perspective. They taught me empathy. They showed me that sometimes people don't need someone to fix everything—they need someone willing to sit beside them while they figure out what comes next.
There is a strange idea that success has an expiration date.
We're often told to accomplish certain things by 25 (or whatever that “magic” age number may be in your mind or what you have been told), have our careers established by 30, and know exactly where we're going by 40. But life doesn't work that way for everyone. And life certainly didn't lead me down the paths I ever imagined I could be on.
Also. Sometimes your path takes longer. Sometimes circumstances force you to change direction. Sometimes your biggest accomplishments happen later than you imagined. At 50, I wasn't behind. I was right where my journey had brought me.
Earning my MSW and LMSW wasn't just about adding letters after my name. It represented persistence. It meant choosing myself and my future, even when life gave me plenty of reasons to doubt what was possible.
If you're living with a chronic illness, facing a major life change, or wondering whether you're too old to pursue a dream, I hope you remember this:
You are not too old.
You are not too late.
And your circumstances do not automatically determine your potential.
There may be days when you have to move more slowly than you'd like. Lord knows I feel this sometimes. Obstacles may exist that other people don't understand. You may have to take a different route to reach your goals.
Take the different route. Rest when you need to. Ask for help. Celebrate the small victories. And then keep going.
Living with cystic fibrosis has taught me that life can be unpredictable. Earning my MSW and LMSW at age 50 taught me something equally important: there is still so much life left to live, learn, accomplish, and give.
My journey isn't over.
In many ways, I'm just getting started.
