"My 50th Birthday" by Carole Wright
Some people call turning 50 a milestone. I prefer to call it a miracle.
I was six weeks old when diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The median age of survival was seven ...and that’s how my life began, some 50 years ago.
On May 8, 2024, I celebrated my 50th birthday. Fifty! It still feels surreal. I spent my birthday in beautiful Old Montreal, living it up with my supportive and loving husband, Kelly. I spent most of the morning deeply reflecting. It was an emotional morning, mostly because turning 50 always felt like a distant dream. Growing up with CF, I was constantly aware of the uncertainty that came with my condition. There were years when I wasn’t sure I would make it to adulthood, let alone to 50. But here I am, reflecting on the challenging path that brought me to this incredible milestone.
Turning 50 is more than just another year— it’s a celebration of everything I’ve overcome…in spite of CF. It’s a celebration of the small victories, like getting out of bed without feeling exhausted. There are good days, and there are days when my body feels like it’s fighting me every step of the way. But there’s also a profound sense of gratitude that comes with each day I wake up and feel strong enough to face whatever comes my way. It’s about the support from family (including my two beautiful four-legged boys Charlie and Milo) and friends who have been with me through the tough times, offering encouragement and love when I needed it most and who never lost hope in the life I could live. I remember the days when I was told that people with CF didn’t live long lives. It was a reality that hung over me, one that fueled my determination to fight, to prove that I could live beyond the limitations of the disease…and I’ve got lots of bumps and bruises and scars to prove it! And now, reaching 50, I can’t help but feel proud—not just for surviving, but for living. For every day I chose to keep going, even when it seemed impossible. For the moments when I laughed so hard my lungs hurt, when I traveled to places, I never thought I’d see, and when I allowed myself to dream bigger than I ever thought I could…in spite of CF.
What I’ve learned through all of this is that strength doesn’t come from physical ability alone. It comes from resilience. It comes from choosing joy even on the hardest days. It comes from never giving up, even when the path is uncertain. I’ve learned that every breath, no matter how labored, is a gift.
For those living with CF, turning 50 is an opportunity to reflect on the obstacles overcome and to look forward to the future with Hope. It's proof that living with CF doesn’t define your limits – it defines your strength. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I’m ready to face it with the same courage that has carried me this far. Here's to 50 years of living, loving, and embracing the journey—no matter what it brings. Here’s to Turning 50…in spite of CF.
