Jeri Dickey, one of the dance teachers in Auburn’s Department of Theatre, wears many hats—choreographer, teacher, producer, and wife to her husband Joe. Jeri is also a mom to four kids (Jenna- 21, Jerod- 19, Jillian and Jonathon- 14), and could easily be classified as a supermom. Two of Jeri’s kids (Jerod and Jillian) suffer from a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits one’s ability to breathe. Since the diagnosis of her oldest son Jerod, Jeri has worked tirelessly to raise both funds and awareness in hoping to find a cure for cystic fibrosis.
What is the hardest part about your job as a mom?
The hardest part of being a mom is watching my kids hurt and go through difficult times when I can’t do very much to help.
What’s the best part?
The best part is watching them thrive and become successful individuals.
Cystic fibrosis is genetic. Does anyone else in your family have CF?
We have no idea where it came from. No one was tested from either family. So neither my husband nor I know where we got the CF gene.
What would you say is the biggest problem with CF research now?
I honestly question whether or not the pharmacies want to find an actual cure. Then, they would lose a lot of business. I hope that isn’t true, but I just wonder. I also know that it costs a lot of money to continue research and CF isn’t a disease that many people know about. Cancer is something that most people have known at least one person to have. CF is rare. So, unless it affects people directly, they usually do not support. I think more awareness would help.
What organizations do you primarily work with in raising money or awareness or both for CF?
I always do the Great Strides walk for CF. This is done through the CF Foundation. I do this because it is the ONLY national fundraiser for this disease. I also have a website that I use to promote awareness and encourage older CF kids to go to college. I do my own dance benefit concerts and donate that money to the Boomer Esiason Foundation. He has a son with CF and has made as much with his foundation as the entire Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! I have worked personally with him and he understands what it is like to be a CF parent.
What fundraisers have you held in the past?
I have had several concerts for CF. I had a lot of affiliations with dance companies in Ohio, where I grew up and trained, so those concerts combined many professional companies and were quite successful. I have had one concert since I moved here in 2010. It was held at the Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery and was televised. I was very happy that this was broadcasted, so there was a large audience to spread awareness. I am hoping to do another concert here in Alabama this year. Also, I have been writing a book about Courageous Fighters [a cystic fibrosis foundation] and all proceeds will go to a CF scholarship fund. Stay Tuned!
What’s the best way for other people to get involved?
The best way to get involved is to first become educated. Learn about cystic fibrosis. Then, talk about it. Let people know what it is and why it is important to donate. Going to either CFF.org or esiason.org will help with both of those things. They always post ways to get involved.
What is one thing you want people to know about CF?
It is a fight from the time a person with CF is born. Many times, I have to apologize to people if I am particularly aggressive with my tone. In that case, I was probably talking on the phone with a member of the CF team and fighting for something for one of my children. I fight insurance companies, hospital billing, and sometimes even doctors and nurses. A person with CF needs an advocate. If you know someone with CF, be their friend. They need all of the support they can get. It can become a lonely disease because no one talks about it. And it is scary. It is SERIOUS! It is a life-shortening illness! It is very deceiving. On the outside, a person with CF looks healthy. However, that person works so, so hard every single day, just to breathe easy. Which by the way, Jerod, Jenna and myself all have tattooed on our ribs [referring to “breath easy”]- talk about awareness!
In the U.S., around 30,000 individuals are affected by CF. This is a cause that is close to my heart as well, being that my boyfriend Shawn also has CF. I challenge each reader to visit any of the links Jeri shared to find out more about cystic fibrosis and what you can do to help.