Future Planning Empowerment with Melanie Cullen Schultz

CF Senior Saturday Meet & Greet April 2025 Recap

For our April CF Senior Saturday meeting, it was a pleasure to connect with everyone. We’re especially grateful to Melanie Cullen Schultz, author of Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To, for guiding us through a topic that is deeply personal, sometimes challenging, but always empowering: organizing our health and personal affairs for the future.

As adults with CF live longer, future planning becomes a key part of health advocacy and peace of mind—not just for us but for our families, caregivers, and loved ones. This conversation was an opportunity to take those first steps together.

Key Takeaways

Aging with CF isn’t just about medical care—it's also about preparation.

Planning tools like Get It Together help individuals document and organize everything from health directives and insurance policies to pet care and passwords.

Melanie’s guide breaks down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.

Sections cover a wide range of topics including:

• Health Care Directives & Power of Attorney

• Financial accounts, debts, and government benefits

• Biographical information, children, pets, employment, interests

• Wills, trusts, and final arrangements

Getting started is the most important part.Melanie encouraged us to read the introductory chapter, print or access the planner digitally, and begin with what feels easiest or most urgent.

Safe and accessible storage is essential.Whether in a home safe, with a trusted attorney, or in a deposit box, keeping this information secure yet reachable is part of protecting both yourself and your survivors.

Personal Insights

This meeting highlighted how deeply planning intersects with dignity, clarity, and self-determination. For many in the CF community, long-term planning can feel daunting—especially when facing daily health challenges. But having a structured, compassionate resource like Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To makes the process feel more achievable.

Attendees resonated with the reminder that planning isn’t about fear—it’s about freedom. When your wishes are known, your story, responsibilities, and values are honored. Several participants shared how they felt inspired to take the first step, not just for themselves, but for the peace of mind of those they love.

Conclusion

April’s meeting gave us not only tools, but also permission—to think ahead, plan with intention, and lead our lives with clarity. These aren’t just “what if” conversations—they are “what matters” conversations. As adults with CF continue aging and thriving, we must also empower ourselves to organize our lives with the same purpose and strength we bring to our health.

Call to Action

Start your own journey with Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To and take control of your personal planning:

Book ResourceTitle: Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To

Author: Melanie Cullen Schultz

Publisher: Nolo

 Steps to Get Started:

• Read the introductory chapter

• Choose your format (paper or electronic)

• Use a binder or secure storage system

• Complete sections one at a time

• Talk with your agents and loved ones

• Maintain and update as needed

Let’s continue these important conversations—and support one another in shaping a future that reflects our values and protects our voices.