Maggie teaches us not to sweat the small stuff Maggie Sheehan is a 20-year-old junior at DePaul University. Her mother Kerry has worked for The Business Ledger for four years as a researcher and editorial assistant. Maggie has also worked for us occasionally when she was on school breaks. This summer Maggie is working part-time at Children’s Memorial Hospital, which during her life has been her home away from home. Maggie has cystic fibrosis, a disease of the lungs and digestive system. Those who have CF rarely have an opportunity to physically grow to average size and usually live a relatively short life. I never knew too much about this disease until a few years ago when a good friend of mine revealed that his daughter was a CF victim. She died at age 29. It’s ironic that shortly after that Kerry joined our staff. She told me about Maggie’s special medical needs and how she and Maggie would spend several days every few months at Children’s Memorial Hospital getting a “tune-up.” Kerry needed a job with flexibility. I wrote a column earlier this year about the trends in telecommuting. One experience I did not mention was the fact that Kerry often works for us from the hospital where she conducts research for our Book of Lists and completes her other editorial tasks on-line. As a business executive I think about the challenges that we face daily such as cash flow, declining sales, the risk of new business opportunities, human resource problems and legal issues. I don’t know about you, but every once in a while something slaps you in the face that says there are more important things in the world. For me, that something was reading Maggie’s thoughts about living with CF and the courage as well as the sense of humor she needs each morning when she wakes up. Maggie has applied for a scholarship and was asked to write an essay. I want to share her thoughts with you. CF Has Taught Me… By Maggie Sheehan CF has taught me I will be offered a children’s menu at restaurants no matter how old I get. CF has taught me I can exercise for an hour then enjoy a McDonald’s Happy Meal with a shake immediately afterward. CF has taught me Albuterol is my drug of choice. CF has taught me everyone in my life is here to teach me, not only about life, but also about myself. CF has taught me to teach others. CF has taught me to worry too much. CF has taught me not to sweat the small stuff. CF has taught me pretzels are a CF-er’s best friend. CF has taught me not to fear death. CF has taught me to love life. CF has taught me I am not sick; I just live in a sick body. CF has taught me “the best part of waking up is sputum in my cup!” CF has taught me to reach for the stars when I can barely reach the kitchen cabinets. CF has taught me giving up is not an option. CF has taught me to hate one thing in this world: cigarette smoke. CF has taught me to be an expert on CF. CF has taught me that I rule my life. CF has taught me rules are made to be broken. CF has taught me how to handle puberty and a midlife crisis simultaneously. CF has taught...me. So on those days that you find out that the big contract you were hoping for fell through, or that your best salesperson has left you to join the competition, think about Maggie and put it all into perspective. I don’t know about you, but Maggie has taught me not to sweat the small stuff. Contact publisher Jim Elsener at jelsener@thebusinessledger.com or at 630-428-8788.

Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2008 (Archive on Sunday, August 10, 2008) Posted by jstoltz  Contributed by jstoltz

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