This podcast is raw, honest and reflective of the challenges people living with CF have to go through when disclosing their illness to loved ones and acquaintances.  Sam, 22, is passionate about sharing his journey to help those who also struggle with disclosing CF, to become more confident with accepting themselves as they are. He talks openly about how he finds it difficult raising his illness with friends and intimate partners, and how he’s coming to terms with who he is. After one particular health scare and his parent's ongoing support, Sam has realised it is more important to embrace himself as he is as opposed to ignoring his illness and hiding it from loved ones. This shift in thinking was triggered by an acute health episode that saw him rushed to paramedics at a Music Festival. Emotionally, he hit rock bottom when he was found in a hospital tent by his friends who could not understand why his health declined so quickly. Since then, Sam has made a decision to accept his disease and bring everyone into his life with full disclosure. Although still young, Sam is wise and insightful. He strongly believes that those struggling with disclosing their illness need to be patient with themselves, OK with themselves and appreciate the time this takes.

Read Sam's transcript below: Deidre: Hi everyone and welcome to the CFStrong Podcast. My name is Deidre Gorrie and I'm the Programs and Support Services Manager for Cystic Fibrosis Community Care in New South Wales. I am in the incredibly fortunate position of being able to chat with some of the most amazing adults living with Cystic Fibrosis from around Australia for the CFStrong Podcast Series. The CFStrong Podcast Series covers a broad range of topics including the challenges and successes of those living with cystic fibrosis, where you hear real firsthand experiences and stories. Guests and speakers on the CF strong Podcast Series may share their personal views about treatment and health management. But please remember that this is not medical advice, and you should always follow the advice of your clinic team regarding your health. If this episode raises any questions, please contact your local state based CF organization. We hope you enjoy today's discussion.   Deidre:  Hi, everyone. My name is Deidre and I'd really love to welcome our first CFStrong Podcast guest speaker today. And his name is Sam. Sam, I'm going to hand it over to you so you can do a little introduction and tell us a little bit about yourself. Sam: Sure. Thanks Deidre. Yeah, my name is Sam Lefoe. I'm currently 22 years old, and living in Wollongong, doing University there and working in a bar. But originally, I'm from Albury, which is on the border of Victoria and New South Wales, so country boy at heart, but living up in the coast now. Deidre: Fantastic. Welcome Sam. Thank you so much for your time today and helping us tackle what is for most an interesting and can be a difficult topic. And our topic today is around disclosing CF and that can be in friendships, relationships, workplaces, it's often something that can be a little bit difficult to bring up and mention and our lived experience of what they can be like. So we thought we'd get you in Sam and just have a chat to you on what disclosing CF has been like. So we'll start with just the general notion of disclosing CF. Is there anything that stopped you from disclosing that you have CF in the past? Sam: Yeah, so these topics hits quite close to home for me. It's always been a big issue of mine opening up about my personal life and my personal issues with CF. Growing up, I spent most of my childhood and young teenage years hiding the fact that I had it from most of my friends. Of course, my family all knew and my extended family were very, very open with it all. But to me, it's always just been a thing that I don't know; I've always struggled with accepting it myself. And I think that's always been an issue with how I disclose i...