2026 – Kimber Cluff – Valley High School HS

Living with the Uncontrollable

 

    Growing up we are taught to plan our lives, but no one tells you what to do when things don’t go as planned. Though some things come as planned, the rest comes without asking and it’s how you react to those things that shape who you are.

    When I was two years old, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at Primary Children’s Hospital. Not only did it change my life but also my family’s life. It was definitely unexpected and has changed my life.

     Growing up I really struggled with the fact that I was different. I was living with something that affected something as easy as breathing and it brought on some real mental battles. Though I was blessed with so much support, I also had to deal with people that didn’t understand or care. When I was in third grade, I moved to a new school and it only took a few weeks before kids started talking. I remember a few kids would make comments about me when I was close to them  like, “Ew she has a disease, don’t touch her or you’ll get it too.” I hated going to school after that. It had a really big affect on me and started a load of problems for me mentally. 

     I ended up changing schools again a few months later and things were still hard but they were better. Because of that bullying, I developed a kind of a fear to tell people and share my story. I would just avoid the concept all together because I was terrified or what people would stay. I was stuck with a problem that couldn’t be fixed so I felt like I was a problem. So, I wouldn’t let people see me take my meds and when I would miss school for doctors appointments I wouldn’t say why. I got really depressed and started thinking to myself that since I was born with an incurable disease I had no purpose and really thought I was born just to die. 

     I did go to counseling for a bit and with growing up and gaining a better understanding of things, It did start to really go up but I still struggled with some of those silent battles, despite being happier. However, After years of fighting those battles, therapy, and growing up I had to learn to change my whole perspective of life and my circumstances. I had to accept the fact that sometimes my body sets limits for me but that doesn’t define me. I started to live by the phrase, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent how you react.” And I think changing the way I view everything has made a world of difference within these last few years. 

     This last summer I decided I wanted to not be scared anymore because through high school I’ve learned that the people who love you won’t leave you. I did something way out of my comfort zone and competed in the Miss Kane County Pageant with my whole platform based on Cystic Fibrosis Awareness and Support. A lot of people in my community were definitely shocked because very little people knew I was living with Cystic fibrosis since I hated telling people. I try really hard not to let it hold me back in any ways because I hate being the person that people feel like they have to check up on and I love being involved. 

     I ended up being crowned the Miss Kane County Teen 2025 and it’s opened so many doors for me to do service and write for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Blog. It’s been life changing for me and hopefully others. I’m striving to share my story and help other people living with illnesses because I’ve been in their shoes. 

     I didn’t choose this battle and neither did anyone else but we can choose what to do with it. I used to see CF as an excuse for me to be sad and miserable but it has provided me with so many opportunities. What is probably my biggest weakness I’ve been able to transform into one of my biggest strengths. I’m not here to tell you it’s easy but to show you that even when things are out of your control and feel like too much, life is still worth living.