In this episode of the CFStrong podcast, co-host Brad Dryburgh leads a candid discussion on the complexities of explaining cystic fibrosis (CF) to romantic partners.
Through the experiences of six individuals living with CF, listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of disclosing their condition in relationships.
From grappling with feelings of burden and anxiety to finding acceptance and support, the guests share their personal journeys of opening up about CF to their partners. Some recount initial struggles and misconceptions, while others reflect on the importance of honesty and self-acceptance in fostering meaningful connections.
Tune in to the Podcast to hear first-person stories, gain insights and discover coping strategies.





























Transcript
Voiceover: Welcome to the CFStrong Podcast. CFStrong covers the successes and challenges faced by those living with cystic fibrosis. You'll hear first person stories, conversations with health professionals, friends and partners. Just a heads up, guests may share their personal views about treatments and health management, but please remember, this is not medical advice and you should always follow the advice of your clinic team regarding your health.
Brad: G'day everyone and welcome to this incredibly exciting new season of the CF Strong Podcast. I'm your host and fellow CF patient Bradley Drybar. And as a 20-something-year-old living with cystic fibrosis, I know that this decade of our life is not only challenging, but rather it comes with some big questions we ask of ourselves. I've taken the time to sit down with six guests who like me, are all in their twenties living with cystic fibrosis as they share their honest and unique perspectives on 10 big questions across 10 separate episodes. I'll ask one question of all six of our guests in this particular order. You can expect to hear answers from Adam, Blake, Caitlin, Ellie, Sam, and Taylor. In this fifth episode of our series, we'll hear from each of our six guests as they answer. When you've met someone special, be it a boyfriend, girlfriend, a partner of any kind, how do you explain your CF and has that been a challenging conversation to have? Let's hear their honest thoughts.
Adam: Yeah, I think in the beginning it was, it was really difficult. I didn't let anyone in. I didn't even bother seeing anyone or dating anyone because I just thought I was too much of a burden, uh, for anyone. I always thought I was gonna be like the patient and the person that I was with was gonna be my carer. Like, and I mean, it's fair, it's, it's a fair thing that I, that I thought that, 'cause I've been quite sick my whole life, but now that I'm, I'm healthier, um, it comes a little bit easier to explain that to someone, or I feel a lot more comfortable because I am healthier. And, um, not to say that when I was really sick that I couldn't explain that to someone. Um, I just think I had a lot of anxieties around relationships because of that. Now the anxieties have, have softened a little bit and explaining CF to people has come a lot easier. But that has also coincided with the fact that I've been a lot more open about my CF to the public and writing about it and sharing my experiences with people. Um, so I think a big part of it is just comfortability and letting people know, like no matter how sick, I, I think if I knew what I knew now and I was just as sick as I was before, um, I think I wouldn't really have much of an issue explaining it to a partner. But it also, it, it should also be said that it's important to know what your idea for a relationship is before you start looking for one, two. And that's something that's something really important to figure out too, because that, that'll give you all the light, that'll give you everything you need to know when approaching it.
Blake: Uh, yeah, well, my, just in my experience and yeah,