Education: CF and College Education is key to Independent Living. Not only does it increase potential employment opportunities and income, but it helps build a variety of social and key life skills. Cystic Fibrosis can impact on education at any stage of life through a variety of formats including missed time due to sickness, hospitalisations and appointments, reduced energy levels, missed social interaction, deferred exams or repeated years. For people with CF, COVID-19 was also a disrupting factor on education with many students remaining in home schooling / online modules longer than their peers due to health guidance. It is important to remember there are many routes to education and that if the plan you have does not work out, it does not mean that there isn't another way to continue your education. This Spotlight is specifically focusing on college and third level education. CF Ambassador, Aileen Henderson shares her experience from choosing a course to completing her degree. If you are a person with CF starting college or considering a return to education and would like to discuss supports available, please contact CFI for advice on 01 496 2433 / info@cfireland.ie
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i, my name is Aileen Henderson, I’m 25 years old and I have Cystic Fibrosis. I recently graduated from college so I understand the added pressure CF can often bring when entering this new chapter in life.
I finished secondary school in 2015 with very little idea of what I wanted to do next. I got offered a place in science in my hometown of Galway, but decided to turn it down as my worst fear was to be stuck in a course that I wasn’t 100% certain of. Having always had a great passion for music throughout my life, I decided to go with my heart study music. Rather than move away from home, which would have been a big step for me straight after school, I decided to do a year long PLC in ‘Music and Composition’ in Galway. At the beginning of the year, I typed out a letter informing my tutors about my CF and how it would affect my work to some extent throughout the year. I handed this to them individually to avoid it getting lost in any emails. For me, I had no issues with them knowing about my condition as I have always been open with my friends, although it may be a bigger deal for others opening up about their CF. I never wanted special attention, just for them to understand that I may miss days dues to being sick or for appointments. As long as it has the most important information, specific to you, that you feel would be beneficial for them to know, that’s all that’s needed. I also mentioned in the letter that if another student came into the college with CF that both of us would need to be informed for crossinfection precautions. www.cfireland.ie
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