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Art and fighting spirit: Pauline Stopp defies cystic fibrosis
Pauline Stopp, 36, from Greifswald, has lived with cystic fibrosis since she was a child and is inspired by her art.
Art and fighting spirit: Pauline Stopp defies cystic fibrosis
Pauline Stopp is an impressive 36-year-old artist from Greifswald who has suffered from cystic fibrosis since she was two years old. This hereditary metabolic disease causes the body to produce abnormally thick secretions that can damage not only the lungs but also other organs. Since her early childhood, Stopp has struggled with shortness of breath, chronic cough and severely impaired fat digestion, which occasionally leads to significant weight loss. Despite these challenges, she decided to pursue a creative path and pursue her dream of a career in art.
When she was diagnosed more than three decades ago, she was predicted to have a life expectancy of just 11 to 12 years. As the fourth child in her family, she tragically saw her older brother die from the same disease. Her childhood was marked by long stays in the hospital, daily inhalations and taking up to 50 tablets. These circumstances were not only medically stressful, but also led to emotional difficulties, including bullying at school due to her illness.
The path to creativity
Be it studying textile art and design or studying for a master's degree in fine arts, Stopp has always shown a knack for creative design. She was supported in Greifswald and received several awards for her work. Despite her health problems, which also include irreparable lung damage and chronic pain, she exudes a remarkable joy for life. A newly developed drug, CFTR modulators, has been improving your lung function since 2020, even if the side effects should not be underestimated.
Stopp has also had to struggle with strokes of fate in recent years: in 2022, both her mother and her brother died within just two weeks of each other. But she remains optimistic and finds inspiration in her married life and the little joys of everyday life. Her hobbies, such as reading, knitting and learning Japanese, provide her with both distraction and fulfillment.
A look into the future
The prognosis for children with cystic fibrosis has improved dramatically thanks to new therapies, so that newborns can now expect an average life expectancy of around 67 years. Nevertheless, everyday life remains a challenge for Stopp. She learns to come to terms with her illness and even plans trips to Asia. Her determination to make the most of her life is admirable and shows that despite all adversity, joy and hope can also thrive.
Pauline Stopp goes her way with a positive view of the future. And while she struggles with shortness of breath and health limitations, her creative spirit remains unbroken. Her story is not only a testament to the human will to survive, but also an invitation to appreciate the value of life and courageously go your own way.