A New Path Forward: Cesar's Journey Back Toward the Workforce

After five to six years away from the workforce due to complications from cystic fibrosis, Cesar was ready to explore what might be possible again. He had years of professional experience, a college degree, and a desire to work, but finding a career that could accommodate his health needs was another story.

Living with cystic fibrosis had made maintaining traditional employment increasingly difficult. Cesar relied on Social Security disability benefits for financial stability, and returning to work raised important questions about how employment might affect those benefits.

As part of his Work Proudly experience, Claire's Place Foundation connected Cesar with Beth Sufian, an attorney, longtime CF advocate, and director of the CF Legal Information Hotline, to help him better understand his disability benefits and the rules surrounding a return to work.

Cesar wanted to contribute financially to his family, regain a sense of professional purpose, and put his skills to use. But where should he begin?

That's when he connected with Claire's Place Foundation's Work Proudly Program.

Discovering Opportunities He Hadn't Considered

With a bachelor's degree in business administration and experience in retail, management, and transportation, Cesar had plenty of skills to offer. What he needed was guidance in identifying career opportunities that could fit his current circumstances.

Through personalized coaching with Work Proudly Program Manager Marcia Wall, Cesar began exploring new career paths, professional training opportunities, and ways to build on his previous experience.

Initially, he hoped to update his resume and LinkedIn profile while researching certifications that could help him transition into remote or flexible employment.

But through his conversations with Marcia, something unexpected happened. Cesar began discovering career opportunities he hadn't even known existed.

Rather than starting over, he realized he could build on the education and professional experience he already had, potentially applying those skills in entirely new fields, including workforce development.

As Cesar shared in his completion survey:

"During my time in the program, I gained the needed insight in opportunities that I did not even consider, which helped broaden my horizons of just how all of my previous employment and academics could be utilized."

His career possibilities were expanding, and so was his sense of direction.

More Than Career Coaching

For adults living with cystic fibrosis, finding sustainable employment often requires more than updating a resume or searching job listings. It means identifying opportunities that allow them to manage their health while building financial independence and a meaningful future.

That's exactly why Claire's Place Foundation created the Work Proudly Program.

For Cesar, one of the most valuable aspects was the individualized support he received from Marcia.

"My coach Marcia was absolutely amazing, and a pleasure to work with," he shared.

Through their one-on-one conversations, Cesar gained a clearer understanding of his options, explored career-related training, and developed a plan for moving forward.

By the time he completed the program, Cesar reported increased confidence, clearer career direction, and a better understanding of the job market. He rated his overall experience as excellent and described himself as very confident about his future career path.

In his completion video, he reflected on how much the experience meant to him:

"It's helped me expand my horizons more than I could have done on my own, that's for sure."

A New Chapter Begins

Although Cesar is still working toward his next professional opportunity, he now has something he didn't have when he started: a clearer path forward and the resources to help him get there.

His journey reminds us that success isn't always measured by landing a job immediately. Sometimes it's about discovering new possibilities, recognizing the value of your experience, and finding a way to move forward that works for your life.

Cesar hopes his experience will encourage others who may be facing similar challenges.

"If you are seeking assistance, trying to navigate the rough road of getting either into the workforce or maybe reintroducing yourself to the workforce like I was, it's a great program to be a part of."

We are incredibly proud of Cesar for taking these important steps toward his future and grateful that he allowed us to share his journey.

Learn more about Claire's Place Foundation's Work Proudly Program and how we're helping adults with cystic fibrosis and CF caregivers pursue meaningful, sustainable careers.

Special thanks to Viatris for generously supporting our video storytelling initiative. Their partnership helps us capture and share personal journeys like Cesar's, bringing greater awareness to the challenges, opportunities, and successes of adults living with cystic fibrosis.