Post-Traumatic Growth with Cystic Fibrosis: When Good Comes from the Bad

After overcoming a distressing event or surviving intensely stressful experiences, some people experience positive psychological changes. This is known as post-traumatic growth or growth after trauma. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis from birth, Tim Wotton wasn’t expected to survive beyond his 17th birthday. Now in his 50s, Tim reflects on how traumatic moments have contributed to his personal strength, courage, and outlook on life.

Article image: Cystic fibrosis patient, Tim Wotton (right), with his son, Felix (center), and wife, Katie (left), bonding on a family vacation in Ibiza. Photo provided by Tim Wotton, 2024.

When life brings me trauma, I prefer to believe that the pain is trying to teach me something. It's now obvious to me that I have thrived as a person despite my lifelong health struggles with cystic fibrosis (CF) and CF-related type-1 diabetes (CFRD).

I strongly believe that "what cannot be cured has to be endured" when defying illness. Throughout my 50-plus years I’ve battled against the odds with my survival, part of which includes adherence to a medical regimen that takes over two hours a day accumulatively. So, as you can imagine, I have racked up numerous stressful situations and traumatic moments over the decades.

From feeling that I would not survive the night on multiple occasions due to loss of breath, to coughing up blood, battling heavy anxiety, to suffering the deaths of hundreds of my friends with CF, it's fair to say I have regularly been to hell and back.

It can be hard to imagine that something good could come from a traumatic experience. However, over time, I have found that this trauma has helped me grow and find personal strength.

What is post-traumatic growth?

Sometimes, from bad comes some good.

Post-traumatic growth, or growth after trauma, is a personal transformation following distressing or frightening events. It holds that people who endure psychological struggle following adversity can often see positive growth afterward. This growth doesn't necessarily reduce the distress tied to trauma, but adversity may yield changes in understanding oneself, others, and the wider world.

For those who may not know, cystic fibrosis is a genetic lung condition that causes a thick, sticky mucus to build up in your body. People with CF often deal with symptoms like a persistent cough that produces thick mucus, wheezing, repeated lung infections, difficulties with exercise, digestive issues, and more, and the prognosis is rarely encouraging. In my case, doctors didn’t expect me to live beyond 17.

Now in my 50s, my survival has meant a lot of support, medical adherence, life compromises, and personal strength. It has also come with many traumatic moments and crossroads that required all my resilience to navigate. 

Experiencing growth after trauma is an organic process, but I’ve developed several steps over the years to help me along.

My 4 steps for achieving growth after trauma

1. Acknowledge my distressing experiences and negative emotions

I had to accept the harsh moments and not bury my feelings. Otherwise, this pain will remain unresolved.

2. Reflect on my beliefs

I had to understand how the trauma had affected my belief systems, values, and priorities.

3. Seek help

I got help from a therapist, especially after my son Felix was born, which helped address my worries that I wouldn't live long enough to help raise him.

4. Recognize my super-strengths

I appreciated that all the courage and mental resilience required to survive were qualities that would help me cope with any challenges that came my way.

And what has this process given me?

From my own experience, I can share many positive changes as a result of struggling with an ongoing health crisis.

6 examples of post-traumatic growth over a lifetime with CF

1. Embracing new possibilities in life

Experiencing trauma has taught me to adapt, innovate, and open my eyes to new opportunities. It's given me the courage and the confidence to believe I can handle any situation and, importantly, thrive.

2. Greater appreciation of life

I am more grateful for what I have and don't bemoan the things I don't. I have an increased appreciation for people, experiences, and life. Part of my growth after trauma means I now look at the world differently. Surviving traumatic events has forced me to find joy in the simple things in life.

3. Personal strength

Reflecting on my trauma, I’m surprised and proud of how well I've been able to handle it. This awareness of my courage, skills, knowledge, resilience, and growth potential has empowered me and made me feel stronger. I definitely feel more confident and better equipped to handle any future challenges that arise, whether they be health-related or not.

4. Closer & more meaningful relationships

The support I received during times of crisis has been invaluable, and I've developed indestructible bonds with family and friends, especially with my wife, Katie, and my teenage son, Felix. Surviving crisis after crisis has brought us even closer together, and these bonds are one of my most treasured examples of post-traumatic growth.

5. Spiritual development

Traumatic events have forced me to question my core faith, as well as reflect on the meaning of life and my purpose in it. I did an “Introduction to Christianity” course and now have an underlying faith, which is another of my coping mechanisms.

6. Making a positive social impact

Even in times of trauma, I have fared better by being able to help others. I have helped people with CF and their families, amongst others, with similar experiences by sharing my stories and insights via my blog, book, and public speaking to improve awareness of the condition and how we can manage it.

It has felt inspiring to be a positive force for good in the community by supporting others and imparting my life lessons and coping strategies.

The takeaway

There is a truism that we don't grow when things are easy; we grow when we face challenges. When there is no struggle, there is no strength.

With my identified post-traumatic growth, I am living proof that there are positives that come from coping with and managing a lifelong health struggle.

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen.

NPS-ALL-NP-01393 OCTOBER 2024