Sticky, Icky Booger Bugs That People Live With – Cystic Fibrosis

This is a month of Breast Cancer Awareness. What it brings in me is the awareness that there are so many diseases that people of all ages battling with. It is especially hard when it comes to children. It is emotional. It is draining. It is too hard to bear.

There’s no best way to explain to a child that certain things need to be done in order to keep him or her alive and feeling better every single living day. Such is life, for example, with Cystic Fibrosis, an inherited chronic disease from which there’s no cure.

Cystic Fibrosis is a degenerative condition of lungs and digestive system that worsens throughout person’s life. There are methods to keep a person feel better during the day. There are certain strict rules to abide by to keep life flowing through a frail body. And there’s no ending to shedding tears that have become a dried out well with a stronger beat of a Mother’s heart.

30, 000 children and adults in the United States and 70,000 worldwide
Are diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis Annually

A defective gene and its protein produce a very sticky mucus mass that can be only “shaken out” of the system by a special mechanical vest therapy. Less mucus means less possibilities for lung infection and better breathing.

Can you imagine doing that vest therapy several times a day? On a baby? On Your baby?

The dietary requirements also need to be sustained and controlled.

How do you explain all that to your child?

Sherry Frith decided to write a book of love dedicated to her two boys who are affected by Cystic Fibrosis. The book titled Sticky, Icky Booger Bugs is a narration of a typical day that a child has to go through while getting rid of the unpleasant moments and affects of this incurable condition.

Loving care of a mother and an open mind and heart of a child do Wonders. Get this book to read to your little ones, so they know what other kids go through. It is a very generous way to show your child compassion and understanding of other children of different abilities.

Here’s what Sherry Frith, a mom of three beautiful boys, shared with me about her experience raising children with Cystic Fibrosis.

• What was your turning, pushing moment to realize that you have to write a book about your son’s daily ordeal with cystic fibrosis?
Sticky Icky Booger Bugs was always a verbal story being told in our home.  I decided to write and publish the book in September of 2010 after being diagnosed with a genetic heart condition called, ARVD.  With my future being unknown, I decided that a book would exist forever, even if my life does not.

• What was your ultimate goal with the book?  What is its message?
My goal was to tell Kory’s story and what his challenges were on a daily bases.  By using terms that Kory could understand, which helped him have more control over his medical routine. 

• How would you phrase your support to those parents who have children with cystic fibrosis?  What is there to look forward to?
“Beat Snot” is the creo in the Frith household.  With the continued research, the possibility of better medications or for a cure is what I look for in the future.  

• Obviously, different people have different levels of this debilitating disease.  How could people around (peers, friends, neighbors) become and be the support to any child or grown up living with cystic fibrosis?
Volunteer or donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Cystic Fibrosis research is only funded by private donations.  So every bit of help is appreciated. 

• What future would you like to see for your son?  And what are you doing to support him in achieving it?
If I could control the future, I would like to see Kevin and Kory have a full filled and satisfying long life.  By being consistent with daily treatment and advocating for their healthcare is what I can do to help them have the best quality of life they deserve. 

• Any special message to all women would you like to deliver via this very special interview? 
Women are so special.  Take time to care for yourself,  because so many rely on you.  

 Sherry, you and your boys have touched my life and the life of my toddler. You are so right on that  each one of us needs that care only we can administer to ourselves, so to say.

Sharing your story through your book and your interview made  your energy become part of mine. And I will continue sharing it throughout the years I live.

My dear women, please make that One Small Change in your life that would make your life more vibrant and more of what you desire within and around yourself.

Please Share & Retweet This To The Dear and Loved Ones

What would B your gift 2 Children of Cystic Fibrosis? Sticky, Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith http://t.co/rPJpPLKthI http://t.co/TCh6GXylkv

— Celebrate Woman (@DiscoverSelf) October 9, 2013

 If you have an active audience who would appreciate all the events from the October Breast Cancer Awareness month, you’ve got many options to contribute, participate and share.