Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) as an infant, Francesca Falzon has spent her life navigating the daily challenges of CF, but her story is one of strength, and a refusal to let her condition define who she is.

CF is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system, causing severe respiratory problems, among other complications. For Francesca, it's meant hours of daily treatments, hospital visits and a constant battle to manage her symptoms. Despite this she's never allowed CF to hold her back from pursuing a full and active life.

Francesca's health challenges began early. Her parents noticed that their newborn daughter was not gaining weight as expected and her breathing was laboured. After several misdiagnoses, it wasn't until she experienced a serious episode of breathlessness that doctors were finally able to diagnose her with CF at just four months old.

At first, her parents were devastated, but Francesca's mother and father quickly realised that the best way to help her was to face the disease head-on. "My parents didn't hide the fact that I had CF," Francesca explains. "They made sure I understood that it was just another part of life. They did everything they could to make sure I was included, even when I had to go through treatments."

With the early diagnosis, Francesca's parents were able to begin her treatments right away. As she grew, so did her understanding of her condition. She learned to manage her medications, follow her treatment routines, and keep track of her health. It wasn't easy, and there were plenty of tough days, but Francesca remembers her childhood as being full of love and support. "I never felt like I was different," she says. "CF wasn't something to be ashamed of. It was just part of my life, and my family made sure of that."

Now in her 20s, Francesca faces even more challenges. Her health has worsened in recent years, and now she lives with stage four liver cirrhosis and an enlarged spleen, conditions that complicate her already difficult battle with CF. But instead of succumbing to her health struggles, Francesca remains positive. "There are times when I don't know how I'm going to make it through the day," she admits. "But I've learned to take it one step at a time. I remind myself that there are still so many things I want to do, and I won't let this stop me."

Living with Cystic Fibrosis means constantly adjusting her lifestyle. One of the most significant changes came when Francesca decided to stop drinking alcohol. Realizing alcohol would only strain her liver more, she made the choice to give it up. "At first, it was difficult. You go out, and everyone's having a drink, but I had to think about my health," she says. "It's not about depriving myself; it's about making sure I can live the best life I can."

Her battle with CF has also sparked a desire to advocate for better treatment and care for others with the condition. Francesca speaks passionately about the need for improved access to the latest treatments, especially for those with rare mutations of CF. "We need to make sure that people with CF, regardless of the type or mutation they have, have access to the care they need," she stresses. "It's about fairness. No one should have to fight for the right treatments."

Her story isn't just about the daily struggle of living with a chronic illness - it's about living life to the fullest despite those challenges. Francesca has always pushed herself to do more, whether it was playing sports as a child or travelling abroad as an adult. "Having CF doesn't mean I can't do the things I want to do," she says. "It just means I have to work a little harder to get there."

Falzon has accepted that Cystic Fibrosis would always be part of her life. But acceptance, she's quick to point out, isn't the same as giving in. She studied, took on part-time work, and volunteered - all the while managing a rigorous daily regime of medication and therapy. "Most people don't realise how much work goes into staying alive with CF. It's not just the physical side. It's mentally exhausting too."

She explained how her life moves in uncertain cycles, marked by tests and hospital admissions. "I can't really make long-term plans. I don't know what next year looks like, sometimes not even next month. There are stretches when I'm okay, and then I crash and end up back in hospital."

Still, Francesca doesn't want to be defined solely by her condition. "I'm not just someone with CF. I'm also a friend, a sister, a cat mum. I love music, I take photos. The illness is a huge part of my life, but it's not the whole picture."

She is currently taking medication that has brought some improvements. "It's changed things for me. I can breathe more easily, I feel like I have a bit more energy." But she's quick to point out that not everyone has access to this treatment, and that inequality needs to be addressed.

She credits her medical team and a tight circle of friends for getting her through the most difficult periods. "They don't tiptoe around me or treat me like I'm breakable. That kind of support makes all the difference."

Lately, Francesca has taken to social media to talk more openly about her experiences, both to inform others and to break the stigma of being unwell. "There's still a stigma attached to being unwell. People assume it makes you unreliable or weak. But there's strength in talking openly about what you're going through."

Francesca's life is one of endurance, not in a dramatic or heroic sense, but in a quiet way she continues to push forward. She's not looking for sympathy - just understanding. Her story sheds light on what it means to live with an illness that's often misunderstood, and more often, unseen.

She continues to share her story with honesty, giving a voice to those who might not have the words or the platform. Her life, though shaped by Cystic Fibrosis, is full of real, everyday moments that matter. There is no sugar-coating, just a clear-eyed portrayal of what it means to live with uncertainty, and the quiet strength it takes to do so.