Adam is seven years old. He lives in Brandon, Manitoba with his parents and his dog, Buster. He is in Grade 2 at Linden Lanes School. Adam is a very active person. He has his yellow belt in Isshinryu Karate, plays soccer, swims and is learning to play basketball. He is a super social person who enjoys making friends, talking to the neighbours and he always has a story to share.

We first began to suspect that something was wrong with Adam when he was about six months old. He was always spitting up, and he breathed like Darth Vader. We were at the doctor at least a couple times a month because his chest was constantly congested. Otherwise, Adam was a happy baby who seemed to be developing normally, but a bit behind other babies his age.

Shortly after he turned a year old, we had him tested for allergies, and the results were negative. On one trip to the doctor we noticed he had lost 6 pounds in one month. Shortly after that he came down with double pneumonia and he was hospitalized. When, after a week, he appeared to be getting worse, the doctor on call took new x-rays and found some abnormalities. Another doctor performed a sweat test which came back positive for Cystic Fibrosis. Within 6 hours, we were transferred to Winnipeg, where he stayed for a month while the Pediatric Respirology Team got both his pneumonia and the C.F. under control.

The next few weeks were a steep learning curve for our family. We learned that C.F. is a hereditary condition that affects the lungs and digestive systems of those who have it. The mucus in both Adam's lungs and digestive tract are quite thick; as a result, he has difficulty digesting food and breathing. Because the mucus is so thick, bacteria tends to live and breed in his lungs, which can cause serious infections. Because he has trouble digesting his food, he was losing all the nutrients we were putting into his body and the developmental delays were becoming more noticeable.

Even though it was a difficult time, getting diagnosed was the best thing that could have happened to Adam. His C.F. is now under control with medication and therapy. His daily regimen includes using a puffer to open up his airways, taking an inhaled medication that thins the mucus in his lungs, and having chest pummeling to help loosen the mucus in his lungs so he can cough it up and breathe easier. These steps alone can take up to an hour a day, twice a day if he has a cold! He also takes anywhere between 20-30 pills a day when he eats. These help him digest the fats and nutrients in his food so he can stay healthy and active.

We are so proud of Adam and all he has accomplished for himself. He is learning to do some of his medical regimen himself. He is also learning how to recognize the signs that indicate when we need to make a change to his medication or physical therapy. Adam is also taking more control of the 4 times a year visits to the doctors who monitor his condition. As Adam gets older and more independent, we hope to purchase a percussion vest for him, so that he can do his physiotherapy himself and it will allow him to carry on with his day while he takes his life saving therapy.

We are also very lucky to have a community of people who care about Adam. The staff at Linden Lanes have been wonderful at welcoming Adam and accepting a role in his physical well being and the YMCA day and summer camp programs help him with his daily medications. He has also received help from a physio therapist and an occupational therapist to help him ‘catch up' on his gross and fine motor skills. We have also found support and friendship from Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Brandon.