Hi, my name is Parker, and I’m 8 years old. I have something called Cystic Fibrosis, or CF for short. It’s a part of my life, but it’s not all of who I am. Some days are hard, but most days I get to do fun things, just like other kids.
 

Every day, I do my breathing treatments, and I take my medicines to help my lungs stay strong. Sometimes it feels like a lot, but I know it’s helping me so I can play and have fun. My mom says it’s like giving my lungs a little workout, so they stay healthy.
 

Even though I have CF, I don’t let it stop me from doing what I love. I still get to go to the beach and play and swim, just like my friends. Sometimes I get a little tired, but I keep running and splashing in the pool because it’s so much fun! I also get to go skiing in the winter, which is one of my favorite things. The cold air feels so nice when I’m zooming down the slopes, and I love being with my family in the snow.
 

We even go to the aquarium sometimes. I love seeing all the fish and sea animals. It’s amazing how many different creatures there are underwater! And in the fall, we always visit the pumpkin patch to pick out the best pumpkins. I love carving them with my family and making them all spooky for Halloween. And one of my favorite traditions is going to the Christmas tree farm every year. We walk around looking for the perfect tree, and we always end up picking the biggest one we can find! We’ve done it every year, and it’s one of the things that makes Christmas so special for me.
 

Sometimes I have to take breaks or rest when I get tired, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying these adventures. My family makes sure I stay healthy, but they also make sure I get to live a normal life. CF is just a part of me, but it’s not going to stop me from doing the things I love. I know my mom and dad are always right beside me, cheering me on.
 

I also get to go to school and hang out with my friends. We play in gym and on the playground, make art projects, and laugh a lot. My friends don’t treat me any differently, and I love that. I might need a little more rest sometimes, but I keep up with everything they do.
 

I walk in the Great Strides walk because I want to help make CF go away, so kids like me don’t have to work so hard just to breathe. Maybe one day there will be a cure, and I won’t have to do breathing treatments anymore. That would be awesome.
 

But for now, I keep fighting, because that’s what strong kids like me do. And I know there are lots of people who care about me and want to help. That makes me feel really happy. I’m not going to let CF slow me down — I’ve got big things to do, and nothing is going to stop me!