What do the annual London (Ohio) Cobra Show, hundreds of hand-built high-performance race and street cars, and Cystic Fibrosis have in common? JENNY SMITH. Jenny was born with Cystic Fibrosis, to a family that developed the largest “Component Kit Car” manufacturer in the world. Factory Five Racing (FFR), and CF, have been with Jenny right from the start. It was only natural that 20+ years ago, when the London Cobra Show (LCS) was begun, and most of the cars that appeared were built from Factory Five kits, that the charity they would adopt was Cystic Fibrosis. “Team Jenny” was formed by Jenny’s dad, Dave Smith, to raise funds for research and conquest of CF. Over the years, LCS and Team Jenny have raised several million dollars for the cause. Jenny was right there as a child and young adult, for many of the yearly LCS events. She has continued to speak and write on developments in CF science and life skills.
Jenny is now in her late 20’s, having interned recently in website design after achieving her Bachelor’s Degree. She is contemplating a return to school for a psychology degree, intending to help other people dealing with difficult issues in life. As Jenny told me, “I was born with CF, so this has always been my ‘normal’. I’m able to continue with my active life, doing pretty much whatever I want, due to the incredible advance in medicines over the past few years. Transitioning from childhood to adulthood is a tough time: you’re handed the mantle of your life, so have to be responsible for your CF treatment, medicines, exercise and food consumption. When it gets rough, my default attitude is happiness!”
Jenny told me 80% of staying healthy and active with CF is psychological, thus her determination to remain happy and grateful. Years ago, a doctor told her she would not live past 30 years old. Medical science, funded in part by the generous donations of thousands of people, has developed a new drug, Trikafta, which Jenny has been using for more than three years. Because of this drug, her life has expanded and she has plans for a bright future way beyond the prediction of that old doctor with the atrocious bedside manner. THIS is a big reason why we want to raise more money for research on this tough disease.
Here’s Jenny’s thoughts about her life with CF:
“The difference between struggling with cystic fibrosis (CF), and fighting cystic fibrosis comes down to who is in your corner helping you overcome the hardest parts of the disease. Although I wouldn’t describe this battle as anything “fun”, it is a battle made easier with the support of so many willing to stand with us. While my battles against CF have not been easy by any means, I am grateful and fortunate to have never fought those battles alone. When something good happens we want to share it with the people who have helped make those good times possible. And when something bad happens, it is the support of friends and family that makes those difficult times manageable. The FFR community’s outpouring of support and fundraising and awareness have made the difference.
There are not enough words to thank everyone who has lent a hand in the fight against cystic fibrosis. There are so many people who have contributed and who have made such an important positive difference in this fight, they all deserve to know how much good they have done in the future of those fighting CF. You all have already made such a beautiful impact on my own future thanks to the love and support of the FFR community and its supporters. The best way I can say thank you is to let you all know that while I and so many others still have cystic fibrosis, we are able to live an amazing and beautiful life, continuing to win the battles that this disease throws our way. Futures made possible because of you all. Thank you to the support of family and friends and the FFR community!”
There’s nothing I can add to Jenny’s words. She is a remarkable woman in every repect.
