Comments on Real World cast memeber.

[buffikins23]

I'm 23/f with CF and Diabetes. I'm a senior in college and a social work major. I watched the RW, and I'll admit when I saw frankie nonchalently lighting up I wanted to punch her in the face!! I've worked my butt off to live a normal life (which includes maintaining my health) and it made me so angry that she writes CF off as something that is not a big deal. CF is not my life, but it certainly has an influence on how I live. I also live life to the fullest, I'm travelling to Paris for spring break, I party and have a good time, but I know what is stupid and what is down right life-threatening. I feel as if she has a chance to bring awareness to the masses about what CF is and how it effects us, however I don't feel as if she is using this opportunity effectively. I hope to meet some fellow CFers, so feel free to contact me!!Bethany

 

[Dream5087]

I'm 21 yr. old male with CF, diagnosed at 3 months. I took it by the vague way she described the disease and the overall way her health was portrayed by her and the show, that Frankie obviously has one of the less serious gene mutations of Cystic Fibrosis. Even so, I hope that people don't take her for the typical CFer. If people see the disease as just some common cold type disease, it will definitely be a step in the wrong way for awareness. It is her right to smoke if she chooses, but why would she want to? I think that she is taking for granted how overall good her health is compared to alot of other CFers. She is helping the bacteria destroy her lungs faster, when there are others who do everything right, {avoiding smoke, nebulizer treatments, airway clearance, antibiotics, etc.} and they still have to have lobectomies and transplants. I'm just saying that she seems to be ignorant or insensitve about the image she's portraying and the message she's sending by her actions. My baby brother had CF and he died at 5 months. He never got a chance and if he was alive today, that is not the image I would want him to have of older CF-afflicted people.

 

[Dortrecht]

Look, nobody's saying that Frankie doesn't "have the right to rebel" nor is there anyone here saying that MTV is irresponsible <i>exclusively</i> for portraying Frankie with CF and smoking. Nevertheless, I think that it's downright stupid for someone facing a future of chronic lung disease (a fact of reality that many of us at this message board have to face) to be smoking, especially in front of such a huge audience.Frankie can do whatever the heck she wants, but when she does it in front of the world she should expect criticism - especially from the CF crowd.While everyone has the freedom to smoke or not to smoke, it's silly for anyone to encourace reckless actions on behalf of another who is, essentially, shortening their life.

 

[anonymous]

I respect her. She's not trying to sugarcoat her life at all. She drinks and smokes and people know it, why hide it. My best friend with CF smokes and I'm always trying to get him to stop. I think she should quit but it's not right for her to hide it just because she's on TV. I think MTV should show her getting her meds and going in to coughing attacks though to make it more real. I know first thing in the morning I'm coughing up a lung because of my lovely CF.

 

[anonymous]

I lost a young girl that I babysat today to CF. She was only thirteen. She has a younger sister that is still battling the disease. While I admit I was shocked when Frankie was smoking and told her roomates she had CF, it is her body to do with what she wants... However, I really hope that she uses her national exposure to make a difference for the cause. I hope she realizes how lucky she is to haved lived her life with so little symptoms. I wish I had the opportunities she has now to make CF a household issue.Laura

 

[FIGHTCF]

HELLO IS THERE ANY ONE HERE THAT COPIES OF THOSE SHOWS AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEM PLEASE LET ME KNOW IM WILLING TO PAY FOR THE SHIPPING AND THE TAPE PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS AP AT FIGHTCF@MN.RR.COM THANK YOU DAVID <b>Text</b>

 

[LeeA0222]

You know what? I completely agree with you. I am 23 and smoked for 3 years now. But I never had a serious case of CF. I drank and smoked and told myself that it will never happen to me. Well guess what! It did. Now I'm sick..

 

[anonymous]

I think a lot of Frankie's behavior is very typical of someone her age... regardless of their health. However, some of her choices to drink, smoke, and not take any of her meds, given her CF, is clearly unhealthy and can be viewed as destructive behavior. Also, certain aspects of her romantic relationships are, again, very typical of someone her age... But, given the very wide range of emotions she is constantly putting herself through w/regard to her hometown boyfriend, it's almost like she really isn't in a good place where she can open herself up to a healthy, honest relationship... She admitted on last night's episode that she has neven told him that she has CF! (And I want to say that they've been dating for 4 yrs, if not longer - I could be wrong on that one, but I know it's been a serious long-term relationship) We all deal with things differently, and I hope that Frankie makes the best of her Real World trip, and finds that right balance in her BODY, MIND & SOUL where she can be happy & healthy!Let's try to find an email address to MTV & launch a mass-mailing of requests to portray CF in a few other "REAL" lights... Let's not come down on Frankie here - But, maybe if they did a "True Life" (another popular MTV reality show) about a few different young adults with CF, to see how they cope with everyday life & the management of their disease, it would paint a bigger picture of this BEAST of a disease & might raise awareness & some understanding from those who don't know anyone with CF, or maybe never even heard of it!JFGSister (25) & Sister-in-law (29) with CF

 

[anonymous]

All very good points, JFG. So far I'm dissapointed that MTV hasn't really delt with CF. Does everyone remember Pedro on the San Fransisco season? He had AIDS and it was delt with very well. MTV took its role in a position to educate very seriously. I hope they step up to the plate with CF, even though Frankie might not be willing to do so. What bothers me is that you know the reason she was picked over the thousands of other people for the spot is because she has CF, and it seems to have been ignored entirely. I have never once seen her pop and enzyme, puff an inhaler, or strap on a vest. It is her life and they are her choices, but I want the world to see what CF requires of a person, what your responsibilities are, ect. I think the CF community should be accuratly portrayed.Debbie22 yr old w/ CF

 

[Queenlynzy]

Frankie really really pisses me off!!! Every time I see a person smoking a cigarette all I can think is trade lungs with me, I'll stop smoking and you can deal with what I have. I don't understand how she could do that to herself! I understand the rebelious stage, trust me! I'm going through it too! Im a college student and I go out and I party like everyone else does but there is NO need to smoke in order to be rebelious. I really dislike her for what shes doing to her own body and to the disease in general. She is acting like it's nothing and not affecting her when really it's something that does. I get even more angry because it's her killing herself more quickly when I know people that already passed away from this without smoking.

 

[anonymous]

I haven't even seen the show and I'm angry just reading your enteries. I don't even have a CF dx. I just have similar symptoms but no dx yet. I'm 40 and every time I see someone smoke it makes me very angry, they have no respect for the life that has been given them and very little for any one elses they smoke around. It is very selfish. what about a diabetic should they just ignore their diet and take no meds because this is their choice maybe even add to the illness by eating all the wrong things. Because it's their choice. They probably would have you seek psychological counselling. Cigarettes are highly addictive. you talk about people having freedom and they can choose, don't they know they have become a slave to cigarettes. This Frankie person is doing harm in my opinion to having any one understand the seriousness and course of the disease. I think they are right ,people should have a better understanding let them see the real life of a person with CF. Anyone with a serious illness want's to live a normal life. We all have limitations. Whether its a person with cancer or a person who is blind or deaf or a parapalygic. Do the best you can. Appreciate those around you and value the life you were given. Maybe someone should print these messages out, if that's possible and mail them to MTV.

 

[Dea]

None of us know Frankie personally, so we have no idea...why she does what she does. I have to say that yes it does aggravate me. But this relates to my brother....I am 30 w/CF...he is 23 w/CF. He also smokes and really does not take care of himself. His reasoning.....I'm doing fine...it's not bothering me....and yes his lung function is good now. He still is at 75%...while mine is at 71% and I have never smoked or done anything to harm my body. I have always taken the best care of myself that I know how. He doesnt realize though...that it WILL get to him....and when it does...it wont be good! He only sees the present...not what could happen. So I figure...thats probably what Frankie sees...only the present. I have talked and talked and talked to my brother.....one will only do what they want...you cant make someone do something they dont. He has even told me that it is so hard to quit smoking....yea...I'm sure it is...but this is LIFE we are talking about. I have told him that he doesnt have enough will power...because if I knew something was causing damage to my body....I would quit in a heartbeat! No matter what! As far as Frankie not doing nebs or the vest on the show...not everyone has to do these daily routines. And maybe she doesnt even see a doctor for it...I only do nebs when I am sick...only use an inhaler when I need it. But I do take enzymes. I also do not use the vest. So overall...this is a subject that hits home for me. I hate it that one day...my brother is going to regret doing this to his body! Take care all...Dea

 

[anonymous]

Don't be shy!!! Post a message here & write an email to MTV. I have written the below email, with a link to CF.com & this message board. I've never really done anything like this before, but I'm really excited about MAKING SOME NOISE about this one! Hope you join me <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">WRITE MTV HERE:feedback@mtv.comJFG - Sis (25) & Sis-in-law (29) with CF<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><b>Text</b>

 

[anonymous]

hey posters, F/16/wCFI can really understand where some of you are coming from, about how Frankie should portray the disease as it is, but the fact is, some people aren't about that. She probably wants to be Frankie, and not Frankie with CF. I mean i could see wanting that to happen, you know try to be my self with out an attachment to the disease. It's not her responsibility to raise awarness, its all of ours. But i can see now that in the show the disease is wriggling its way into the drama and its starting to effect her.And yes MTV is not all on the right side. They only have her there to replace the drama that a Gay guy or girl would bring, (notice the absence of one this season?)which is typical of stupid corprate leaders these days. but i think they know they'll turn off a lot of their audience by showing the real nitty gritty details, which is sad but true, a lot of people couldn't handle it. Though some others would be enlightened. And MTV does specials on AIDs and stuff, maybe a CF special is next, i hope so, just to get some things strait. Some people are spokesmen and some are just independant, shes extremely indepenant and has to fight her own battles away from the public Eye i think. jeez you should see the real world message board, not many people talk about Frankie and CF, but the ones who do are so hopelessly clueless, maybe MTV will get the hint that a CF special is needed urgently after its Real world " " introduction.

 

[anonymous]

Hi, this is my first time posting as well. I was very concerned with how Frankie is so careless concerning her disease. My niece just passed away from CF at the age of 22 on 2/22/04, so it was very difficult to see Frankie smoking and doing things that would jeapordize her chances of being listed for a lung transplant.My niece went through a rebellious stage when she was smoking pot and cigaretts on occassion, not realizing that it would prevent her from being listed on the lung transplant list. She was put on a 6 month compliance program that she started in September 2003, and she was due to meet with the lung transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital on 3/4/04. We had donors lined up who were a match and were willing to donoate a portion of their lungs for her to survive. She did not have enough time on the lung transplant list as there is a 3 year waiting period for her type, so her only option was a lobar lung transplant once she was listed. She died 11 days before she was supposed to meet with the team and make the list.I want to let every CF patient know that you need to take matters into your own hands. Don't rely on the doctors to know what is best for you and decide as to when they should recommend you be placed on the waiting list. If her doctor would have put her on the compliance program when she was in that rebellious stage 4 years ago, she would have been able to have enough time to undergo the transplant. Please talk to your doctor NOW. It does not matter if you are feeling healthy. You have to do your time on the list, it does not matter how sick you are. They do not move you up the list because you are sicker than others. My niece was a role model for CF patients growing up. She was so healthy, you would have never known that she had this horrible disease, but she did. We trusted her doctor, the same doctor she had since she was an infant. We never would have thought that 22 years was not enough time to prepare a patient to be recommended for the transplant list. I feel my niece was cheated and was not given her options until it was too late. I want to tell the entire CF community of her story so that the the same thing does not happen to them. Please get listed NOW, even if you feel ok.You know, Frankie said that she does not even take her medicine that would help to keep her alive. I wish she could have lived with us and seen what we've gone through. She suffered. My niece was adored by everyone she ever met and we miss her so much. I hope this is a wake up call for at least one person.

 

[anonymous]

Hi, this is my first time posting as well. I was very concerned with how Frankie is so careless concerning her disease. My niece just passed away from CF at the age of 22 on 2/22/04, so it was very difficult to see Frankie smoking and doing things that would jeapordize her chances of being listed for a lung transplant.My niece went through a rebellious stage when she was smoking pot and cigaretts on occassion, not realizing that it would prevent her from being listed on the lung transplant list. She was put on a 6 month compliance program that she started in September 2003, and she was due to meet with the lung transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital on 3/4/04. We had donors lined up who were a match and were willing to donoate a portion of their lungs for her to survive. She did not have enough time on the lung transplant list as there is a 3 year waiting period for her type, so her only option was a lobar lung transplant once she was listed. She died 11 days before she was supposed to meet with the team and make the list.I want to let every CF patient know that you need to take matters into your own hands. Don't rely on the doctors to know what is best for you and decide as to when they should recommend you be placed on the waiting list. If her doctor would have put her on the compliance program when she was in that rebellious stage 4 years ago, she would have been able to have enough time to undergo the transplant. Please talk to your doctor NOW. It does not matter if you are feeling healthy. You have to do your time on the list, it does not matter how sick you are. They do not move you up the list because you are sicker than others. My niece was a role model for CF patients growing up. She was so healthy, you would have never known that she had this horrible disease, but she did. We trusted her doctor, the same doctor she had since she was an infant. We never would have thought that 22 years was not enough time to prepare a patient to be recommended for the transplant list. I feel my niece was cheated and was not given her options until it was too late. I want to tell the entire CF community of her story so that the the same thing does not happen to them. Please get listed NOW, even if you feel ok.You know, Frankie said that she does not even take her medicine that would help to keep her alive. I wish she could have lived with us and seen what we've gone through. She suffered. My niece was adored by everyone she ever met and we miss her so much. I hope this is a wake up call for at least one person. <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="mailto:sborges@coffmanrealty.com">Text</a>

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

I like Frankie. I think smoking is disgusting, and though I can be rebellious, I never took part in smoking cigarettes. (Mind you I used to smoke pot at parties on occasion... though I stopped that over 2 years ago). I find it sad she smokes, but I still like her. She has some issues, but so does everyone else. She drinks excessively and "blacks out" while she's drunk and "doesn't remember" fooling around with other guys. She's my favorite member this season though. (I've never watched Real World before, I'm just watching this season because of her). She's her own person, and wears what she wants, and does what she wants, and makes statements. I love her lip ring, as a for instance. I hope the general public doesn't think that all CFers are as mild as she is, but some people will think that simply because the general population are sheep. At the same time, just because she's on TV doesn't mean she has to be the CFF's biggest poster child. It's good for awareness, and people who really pay attention and are curious will look up on it instead of just taking the two words said about it on the show. When I meet new people, oftentimes after they learn I have CF, will look up online about it and educate themselves (the next time I talk to new people, they often know more about it than they did previously). So I'm hoping that anyone who watches Real World and doesn't know what CF entails is also looking on the internet about it. Though we may assume most of the teenage population watching MTV doesn't care enough to look up about it. But as is often said, "there's no such thing as bad publicity." The fact that the name is getting out there is enough to raise awareness with at least some of the people that did not know before Frankie appeared on MTV. So no matter how she seems, or how people think she makes CF look, she is also just a young adult trying to be just that --- a young adult.

 

[anonymous]

Dear Christina, I to am the mother of a child with cf. He is 15 months old and I would love to chat with you. Plse feel free to email me Kimmer246@msn.com Hope to hear from you~ Kim

 

[anonymous]

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[anonymous]

I just saw the 1st Real World episode tonight, as a rerun. During the show, after Frankie mentioned CF, I immediately looked up CF and then looked up whether or not smoking affects CF. After I learned that smoking does affect CF, it made me frustrated towards Frankie for not being responsible with her disease. To educate myself further, I started reading more on the internet which led me to this site.Some of the first postings made me more angry than Frankie’s smoking. Scarlett attacked Frankie’s roommate’s use of the word “ailment” in her statement “Yes, ailment was the word they used, which made me want to smack them” Not everyone knows someone with CF, and many of you have stated that CF is not very publicized, yet she seems appalled that not everyone knows what CF is. The roommates were just showing concern. Then Scarlett again a few messages later states that people are ignorant in a reference to miseducation/misinterpretation about CF.I do agree with Scarlett and many other posters that Real World needs to show details of living with CF, but it doesn’t seem like Frankie is having symptoms in the first episode and if she doesn’t take her meds then it isn’t much to show. So I wouldn’t put the blame on the show. However, I do support everyone's interest in having MTV do a show about CF to educate where Frankie is not.Summary: 1: don’t attack people who don’t know about CF. Although I am sure it is frustrating that the rest of the world may not understand CF, attacks put people not educated about CF on the defense and it is’t constructive. 2: My personal opinion is that Frankie does have a duty to accurately portray CF, since she is obviously in the public eye and apparently CF is something not many people are educated about. It may not be fair for her to have to have this extra duty and to be judged for her actions, but this is something I hope she considered before she began. 3. I think the reason why so many others and me are upset with Frankie smoking is because we are actually frustrated to see someone do this to herself, and we can’t stop her even though we know it is bad for her.