# @cf_foundation on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C_TPY6gAsIk
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/29212642-cf-foundation-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0918916b6f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-08-30T16:23:21.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (@cf_foundation) — https://gondola.cc/cf_foundation

## Caption

“As many of you know,

I have CF.

I was recently diagnosed with bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH), which is due to 40+ years of exposure to Tobramycin.

Although this antibiotic has saved my life countless times, it has also left me with devastating ototoxic side effects. BVH, is a rare side effect but when it occurs, it results in loss of balance and loss of varying degrees of coordination.

I have, unfortunately, noticed a negative impact on my drumming.

As you can probably imagine balance/coordination is extremely important to a drum set player. I’m no longer able to execute and play ideas as freely as I used to.
This has been devastating and very hard to come to terms with and there are days that I get really down in myself.

The good news: I’m still able to perform/teach/practice/Jam, fish and walk my dog. Also, this condition won’t worsen (but it may not get better). In the coming weeks I’ll start vestibular rehab (to learn to compensate for what I’ve lost). My family and friends have been extremely supportive and I am so grateful for that! My genius wife suggested that I get back into jamming/rehearsing with people on a regular basis (as part of my rehab), wow, why didn’t I think of that? I’m confident, that with some self-examination and evaluation of technique, I’ll be able to compensate and find new ways of expressing myself on the drum set.

I’m reminded of Sonny Rollins. He once took a long break from performing and just practiced, only to emerge as a much stronger player. This is a challenge I am ready to conquer… thank you all of your love and support!” -Alex Jenkins, an adult with CF #NationalGriefAwarenessDay

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## Tags

nationalgriefawarenessday

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