Being born with Cystic Fibrosis you are set with challenges
already. These challenges may never stop for some. I actually thrive
on them, as it makes a dull day turn out to be a fun adventure. A
challenge can create energy and help you to thrive on life itself.
Imagine being told that you will never work in the field
that you have just studied for the last 14 years. That's what happened
to me at the age of 18 after I had lived most of my days training
in a dance studio to be a performer. It was one of many challenges
that I would face as an adult in my life ahead. I was told I would
never be a dancer despite my endless talent, because having CF was
a huge risk for any dance company to take on and I could break a contract
and get sick.
Of course this never stopped me and I did perform, even
if I created and produced the shows myself. I also owned and operated
a successful dance studio for over ten years giving my students as
many opportunities I could. I even employed some of these people who
would not give me a job when I was 18.
For any person to survive in this world (let alone someone
living with CF), you have to be strong mentally and physically, and
live your life as you want to get the most out of it. That has been
my motto for as long as I can remember.
Years ago when I decided what I wanted from my life,
where I was going and where I wanted to be, I decided that I was going
to live my life exactly as I wanted it to be. I agreed with my spirit
and soul that I only had one chance at living and it was then that
I decided I was going to work on having the greatest National Dance
competition that Australia was ever going to have for young dancers
to expose their talents. I was going to produce it like a show with
lights, stage sets, and famous judges and hold the event in amazing
venues. All the dancers would feel important about their performances,
as I wanted to have them remember competing in my competition as a
major opportunity in their lives for years to come.
Nine years ago my life was not really going anywhere.
I was still doing the same job that I had done for the previous five
years and had really made no progress with it on a personal level.
I could never really see past the present and had never really sat
and thought of where I wanted to take my life in the future. Sure
I was travelling overseas at least three times a year and sure I had
money to see me through whatever I wanted, but I had to have more.
It was time to create a better, more successful future for me. I thought
to myself "If other people can get what they want, why can't
I? How can I get what I want?" I realised my life had come to
a place where my dreams had died, so I sat down and pictured how I
wanted my life to be in approx five years time, where I wanted to
have my business, and how my ideal day at work would be if I could
have it any way I wanted.
Everything that has happened to me in my life has been
part of the process of me becoming who I am now. All the challenges
that I have been faced with have created me exactly the way I am.
I have been hospitalised for CF probably over 35 times since I was
15. This never stopped me - it gave me determination to go for more
even if I was faced with death from the illness of CF. I love my life
and thank God everyday for my existence. I do know that most challenges
were made easier by keeping my vision on where I was going and having
set goals.
I would not change any part of my life for anything.
Any challenge I have been faced with makes me want to prove to people
that I am normal and can live a regular life. I have operated my own
business for over 15 years. As well as operating a dance studio, I
have co-ordinated up to 500 dancers for an Olympic event, and I have
taken up to 75 people on a tour trekking across America on a few occasions.
I have also created the largest National Dance Competition in the
southern hemisphere with over 4000 dancers attending annually. The
prize money is now in excess of over $65,000. I have travelled overseas
probably now 45 times. Who said having CF would stop you doing anything?
Believe in your goals and determine to realize your
dreams. The successful person does not view obstacles as problems,
but rather as challenges. To make your life a success, you must be
willing to work at everything you want in life. Never give up. It
is possible.
Peter Oxford is a 34 year old with
CF. He began dance at the age of 4 years and has trained in all areas
of dance including acrobatics and ballroom dance. Peter is currently
writing a book about his life. If you would like to know more about
Peter and his achievements, you can view his website at www.showcasedance.com.
