Student who is battling disease says he’s lucky
On the outside, 18-yearold Christian Morrison might look like your average high school kid.
Tall with long, dark blonde-ish hair, Morrison, a student at The Woodlands High School is a kind of a jack-of-all-trades with musical instruments, dabbling in lead guitar, bass guitar and double bass in the orchestra program. He also loves his anatomy and science classes.
The 18-year-old, along with about 50 other student musicians, is even performing at the Holly Jolly Jingle at Cynthia Woodlands Mitchell Pavilion on Thursday, Nov. 30, and again in his school’s auditorium Dec. 9 for a TransSiberian tribute concert.
But for 14 years, Morrison has been battling Cystic Fibrosis, a rare genetic disease that causes repeated lung infections and an excess buildup of mucus that limits breathing, according to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
He is one of the more than 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide who currently live with CF.
Christian’s grandmother, Jana Morrison, said her grandson is a remarkable and inspirational child who has never been defined by this disease.
“He once told me he is glad he has CF because it makes him appreciate life more,” she said. “This attitude has fostered a love of music that began at very young age and has continued through his life.”
While the median predicted life span for people living with the disorder is 40 years old, the disease hasn’t dampened Christian Morrison’s spirits.
“I actually feel very positive about this disease,” Christian told The Villager. “I actually really appreciate that I have this in the first place.”
Cystic Fibrosis, he said, has taught him to appreciate things that others might take for granted, including health, family and hardships some people might face every day.
Christian, who was diagnosed at 4-years-old, said he believes that even though the life-threatening disease has been a part of his life for almost as long as he can remember, CF hasn’t taken it over.
“It is almost like the CF is losing,” he said, adding that his prognosis from his doctors is mostly positive. “I am fighting. It shows in the statistics that I have been improving.”
No cure exists for Cystic Fibrosis, but the 18-yearold said he could never imagine himself lying in a hospital bed. And, he said he is positive that advancing technology and research will help him live a longer life. It’s even encouraged him to want to possibly pursue a career in the medical field.
Christian and his band, who are in the process of renaming themselves, are looking at venues for gigs in downtown Houston, such Walters. He said he is blessed to have a family and best friend—Raafay— who are so involved in his life.
As for his grandmother, Christian called her a “big blessing” in his life.
“She has not only helped me learn about my condition, she has guided me to the right path,” he said.