Julia Rae, a Wayne songwriter, was diagnosed with childhood cystic fibrosis, writes Ben Silver for Main Line Today. 

Not knowing how long she had to live made her acutely aware of her own mortality at an early age. Things changed for the better seven years ago, when a new medicine helped treat her illness. Rae finally gave herself permission to live life freely. 

A former Miss Philadelphia and Miss Philadelphia Teen winner dreamed of making it big in Los Angeles at the time, and with her health improving, she decided to expand her pursuit. 

“Once this medication became available to me, I had hope and permission to pursue the multidimensional life that I always wanted to pursue,” she said. 

Her efforts have since culminated in her debut film, Playing Through, which had its premier theatrical screening last week just a short drive from her hometown.

The movie is an indie feature film honoring the life and achievements of golfer and civil rights activist Ann Gregory trying to create a place for herself in the USGA in the 1930s, and her rival Babs Whatling, played by Rae, a wealthy white woman coping with her own struggles. 

Read more about how Julia Rae’s treatment helped her live her life freely through the arts in Main Line Today.