Emma, Rebecca and Chris’s first child, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) after her one-month screening.
Up until Emma’s diagnosis, Rebecca and Chris had never heard of CF before.
Their first months as a family of 3 were filled with regular fortnightly visits to Westmead Hospital. Many check-ups, lots of learning about CF as well as how to function as a family with a child with a chronic illness.
When a child is diagnosed with a chronic illness it is common to feel a range of varying emotions from guilt and sadness, to anger at the world, at your partner, at yourself. These emotions are normal.
Now 2-years-old, Emma is a cheeky, music loving girl.
“We’ve been pretty lucky with Emma,” says Rebecca, “She’s been in relatively good health.”
The family are now regulars at Westmead Hospital and visit every 3-months, with telehealth appointments in between. Their appointments include seeing Emma’s nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, dietitians.
This is what life is like for a family with a child with CF.
Team Emma will be walking the 7km in this year’s 65k 4 65 Roses, to help raise funds and awareness for CF, for Emma and for all the people living with CF.
Emma’s family of Grandparents on both sides, Aunties and Uncles on both sides and Great Uncles and Aunties will all be walking or donating to Team Emma.
“This is the biggest event of the year for Cystic Fibrosis Community” says Rebecca. “We’re so grateful you can attend. We encourage anyone to participate and help raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Community Care and Westmead Children’s Hospital so we can help make lives easier for those with Cystic Fibrosis.”
“We started when Emma was just 3 months old with a walk around the Nepean River. We are so lucky to be able to have friends and family walk with us and can’t wait to do it all again this year.”
Now a family of 4, Rebecca and Chris welcomed their second daughter into the world 2-weeks ago. After undergoing IVF, baby Lily was born happy and healthy.
Now all Rebecca needs is a good night’s sleep to get ready to walk 7kms .
Please join Rebecca, Chris and Emma in walking to help support people living with CF.
You can register to walk or run the 7km or 21km, or challenge yourself in recognition of the daily challenges faced by people living with Cystic Fibrosis by registering for the 42km or 65km.
REGISTER TODAY