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Brave Maltese Woman Opens Up About Life With Cystic Fybrosis And How Society Misunderstands Her Illness

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A Maltese woman has spoken about living with a genetic disease in Malta, opening up about the challenges she faces, both from within her body, as well as from society.

“Living with a disease can bring the most out of you but it can also hold you back from living to the fullest or going totally all out without any regrets. Doubts, overthinking, joy, sadness, excuses. This is how I lived with Cystic Fibrosis,” Mandy Vella said in a touching Facebook post.

Mandy explains that Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder a person is born with, and though it mainly effects the lungs it effects more and more of your body as time goes by.

“Your weight, your ability to work, nausea, headaches, breathing and so much more. It is also said that people with Cystic Fibrosis don’t have a long life ahead but medication has been improving along the years,” she said.

Mandy wanted to raise awareness on the health issues she faces, issues that may not be visible to the whole world

“They just thought I was playing games”

“What games? I’ll explain,” Mandy continued.

“I went hiking and people looked at me with faces of disbelief, thinking I should train more before I go hiking. I went to dance and exercise classes while people laughed at me because I stopped to catch my breath for the billionth time in a 10 minute workout,” she says.

“I’ve tried to stuff my mouth with pizza and burgers in public with people raising their eyebrows at me, when I was only angry that my stomach turned me down,” she continued.

“I sit on every chair I find, wherever it is. I stop to cough and people look at me with disgust. I had people whispering in each other’s ear about my skinny legs or thin arms, when I had just been recovering from an operation due to my weight loss.”

Mandy called on the public to be more understanding when dealing with people who might be battling Cystic Fibrosis, or any genetic disease.

Since posting her story, Mandy has received countless messages of support from people effected by Cystic Fibrosis

“I am honestly overwhelmed by all of your messages, I have received so much support and courage in less than 24 hours. I have spoken to so many people with Cystic Fibrosis who have expressed their feelings and also parents who are going through Cystic Fibrosis with their sons and daughters and I couldn’t be happier to have made such a move. I promise you to keep on working for Cystic Fibrosis awareness,” she said.

Tag someone who will be inspired by Mandy!

READ NEXT: ‘Living With Bipolar Is Both A Blessing And A Curse’

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]

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