They call cystic fibrosis an invisible illness, but for Kenzieās mum Antonia, the fear has been very real from the very beginning.Ā
āThe scariest moment for me was just before she turned one,āā Antonia said. āI was driving and she was in [her] car seat, and she started to cough and then she was choking. She was not breathing and she couldnāt clear the mucus. It was very, very scary.āāĀ
Kenzie was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis through newborn screening, a shock for Antonia and her husband Chris, who had no idea they were both carriers of the genetic condition.Ā
āWe didn't know a lot about cystic fibrosis,āā Antonia said. āThat was the beginning of our journey to figure out what it was and how it would impact Kenzie's life, our lives.āĀ
Today, Kenzieās treatment is part of everyday life. She takes nine to 10 capsules in the morning, more capsules with every meal to help her body absorb nutrients, and does daily physio to help keep her lungs clear.Ā
But even a simple sniffle can be frightening.Ā
āAny time she gets a sniffle or a cold, we're on edge worrying about whether itās actually going to get that deep into her chest and get really sick and then whether she'll end up in the hospital again.āāĀ
For Chris and Antonia, research is where hope begins.Ā
āResearch is so important,āā Chris said. āI think that's the only thing that will give Kenzie and other kids like her an actual proper normal life.āĀ
You can help give kids like Kenzie hope for a healthier future.Ā
Donate now and help fund the research that could lead to better treatments and cures for children like Kenzie.Ā
