October 18, 2010
Eric Arthrell, 22 years old with cystic fibrosis, lives in Waterloo, Ontario, and talks about getting out there in the working world after college.
- Eric is working full-time, supporting himself financially, socializing, exercising ― he is running ING New York City Marathon for Team Boomer on November 7 ― and LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING through compliance.
- Eric was diagnosed at birth and had a normal childhood. “I just had to stay compliant, and I did a lot of exercise. I started ice skating and playing hockey at a very early age – everyone in Canada plays hockey.”
- Eric graduated from Wilfred Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario) with a business degree.
- Eric enjoys participating in all sports, loves to travel (he recently made a trip to Africa) and also performs in a band.
- Regarding work: “I started working in the 10th grade and had a lot of various jobs, including sales in a sporting goods store, ground work at a golf course, and roadside construction.”
- Eric has never let CF be an issue when interviewing for a job or while working at a job. “I just keep work and CF separate, but it is important to get a job with a good health insurance plan,” Eric says.
- Eric currently works 40 to 50 hours a week in commercial banking and does a lot of analysis. He would like eventually to go into the social enterprise part of business and possibly be a college professor.
- Eric on the future of CF: “In 10 years, CF will not be looked at as a terminal illness; people with CF will live a long, full life and just have to deal with doing therapies.”
- “Family support has been the most important thing in my life that helps me get through the day when living with CF,” Eric says.
- Eric on the career world: “Go out there and add to society, set goals and accomplish them ― better the world!”
This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast series is the third from our third season made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.