Hi, my name is Bella, and I have cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is something I was born with, and it makes my lungs and stomach work a little differently than other kids. One of the CF genes I have is really rare, so my doctors are always learning new things about how to help me stay healthy.

Every day, I do several breathing treatments to keep my lungs strong, and I take medicine called enzymes to help me digest food, lots of vitamins, several antibiotics, even have to test my blood sugar levels. I have many doctors/specialists that I have to see every month. My mom is always coming up with new ways for me to carry my meds with me and even easier ways for me to keep salt with me for emergencies.

The best way for me to describe CF is like having a really bad sinus infection and tummy ache all the time.  Sometimes it’s hard because it takes up a lot of time, but I know it’s important for me to feel good and do the things I love.

Even though I have CF, I don’t let it stop me from dreaming big. I love my family, my sweet friends,  hip hop dance, acrobatics, fancy nails, PIGS!!!!, anything with a pig or cherry on it!, reading, singing, swim, and taekwondo.  I want to travel the world one day. My family and I are hopeful because scientists are working hard to find better treatments and maybe even a cure one day.

I hope that by sharing my story, people will learn more about CF and help others like me. I believe that one day, CF won’t be such a big part of my life, and I’ll be able to spend more time just being a kid or even one day raising my own kids.