Could Chopin Be the Most Famous Person With Cystic Fibrosis?

The composer’s ill health shares many traits with a genetic disease

Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The urge to cough was strong. Stronger still was the need to finish. Back rigidly straight, Fryderyk Chopin’s fingers danced. Just a little more. Nearly there. The melody took over. Lost in the soothing sounds, Chopin blocked out his bodily needs.