Meet Anna McVey-Tyson
I had the privilege of photographing a vibrant woman who lives her best life despite the odds. Anna McVey-Tyson is a graphic designer and brand maker who loves her kids, coffee and advocating for awareness about Cystic Fibrosis. Anna hails from Kansas, but says Denver, Colorado is her favorite place on earth. She’s a dedicated volunteer for Cystic Fibrosis advocacy including a former member of the patient advisory board at National Jewish Hospital, a conference planning committee member for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and a speaker who shares her wisdom on living with CF. Anna is kind, smart, beautiful and authentic. Her rockin’ locks give away her love of the color purple and her infectious smile lights up at the mention of her two kids.
What do you want others to know about living with Cystic Fibrosis?
Oh! This is somewhat of a loaded question. Because there are so many things that I could say I want people to know. But what I want the world to know right now, is that many times, I feel like an alien in this world. Like I don't quite fit in. I'm either looked at like a pariah when I cough in public - because a lung disease like CF can you make you cough a lot. Or I get told that I'm strong for having such a great attitude about living with a disease. I can feel like the lowest of the low or feel like I'm on a pedestal. I don't really want to be treated either way. I just want to be treated like a human being. Despite having something that makes me different, I'm human like the next person underneath it all.
How do you juggle all the hats you wear?
I don't do anything on my own. If I did, I would be a superhero, and let's be honest. Superheros don't exist. I try to surround myself with supportive people. I get so much help with my kids from my family and my ex-husband and his wife. I've found a health care home at National Jewish that supports and pushes me to achieve my best health. I have friends that I can turn to for the emotional support and connection every person needs. I also am part of a supportive community of others with CF who understand the challenges that I deal with daily. And while I'm still learning everything about building a business, I'm on the hunt for a community of graphic designers, female entrepreneurs, and working moms that support and challenge my business' growth. No one can do it on their own, and I'm no exception. So, I have to give credit where credit is due. I have help balancing everything in life that I have to do. Because I can't, and don't want to do everything on my own. It always takes a village to succeed.
How do you stay inspired to create?
Honestly, it can be really hard to create sometimes. Especially, because depression and anxiety are my constant companions, and anyone who has dealt with mental illness of any kind knows how challenging it can be to do everyday tasks. It's not that I find inspiration to create. I just have to show up at my desk and make something. Some days, I may only work on my business for a few short hours, but I try to remember to celebrate even that little bit of work that I did. Because just showing up is sometimes the hardest part. It doesn't mean that the rest of the day is easy, not remotely. But I can at least create something small by just showing up. It's in taking the small steps forward that progress happens and creation happens. That's what I try to keep in the back of my mind when it gets really difficult to find inspiration or motivation.
What’s your coffee brewing routine?
I love experimenting with different brew methods. Currently, I'm obsessed with cold brew, especially since we're in the middle of the hottest time of year. I'll just put some locally roasted beans into my cold brew pitcher with some filtered water and let it sit overnight in the fridge. It might last me two days if I'm lucky. But a few of my other favorite brewing methods include pour-over and French press. I really want to try making espresso at home next. But I have to buy an espresso maker. I have my eye on this one.
Best thing about being a mom?
The best thing about being mom is the love that just overwhelms me every time I see my kids. Yeah, it's cheesy, yet it's the truest thing I will ever be able to say in life. I can't explain what that feeling is like. The only way that you can understand what I mean is if you're a parent, too. You either know what I mean or you don't. Lily and Liam have become my reasons for living. I'm not even kidding when I say that they have saved my life with the love that they offer me. I've mentioned that I deal with depression and anxiety, but I didn't mention that I've also fought suicidal thoughts in the past. But it's because of them that I had a reason to live when everything else seems lost. I also have fought to live much longer to be around a lot longer to be here for them. (CF can kill people really young. My parents were told I might live to be 27 years old when I was diagnosed as a kid.) Wanting to see them grow up, be here for them, and just have more time to love them has given me the fight I need to do everything I can to fight off CF for as long as I can. Their love and my love for them is definitely the best thing about being a mom. There's nothing else like it in life.
What do you think the world needs more of right now?
I think the world needs more love right now. Cliché? Too idealistic? Eh, maybe. But it's true. Everyone is so concerned with themselves right now and their own agendas. But what has that brought us? Political strife, violence, discrimination, and so much more pain. I don't think people have to see eye-to-eye on everything to share love for each other. I think we need all the different perspectives that people bring to the table to keep each other in check and make sure that everyone is heard. But no one is going to listen to each other if we don't get the basic human need met first, and to me that most basic need is to be loved. Because only with a foundation of love will we be able to truly move forward and make any kind of positive progress.
