A hereditary metabolic disorder of the exocrine glands, usually developing during early childhood and affecting mainly the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands. It is marked by the production of abnormally viscous mucus by the affected glands, usually resulting in chronic respiratory infections and impaired pancreatic function.
my amazing cousins sharlie and lexi were diagnosed with CF when they were babies.
lexi passed away when she was a teenager and sharlie is still a living miracle {31}
they both surpassed there life expectancy of 10 years old.
you wouldn't guess shar has CF because of her love for life, her courageous personality, her positive attitude, and because she's so devoted to being a wonderful wife and mother.
i dare say...if you know me...you know of shar.. {and maddie of course}
that is why i decided to jump on the offer to go and support sharlie and my aunt collette who were being honored at the 11th annual breath of life gala. they both speak with such grace and power. i love hearing them because it always makes me want to be a better person and live a better life.
my aunt coco climbed to the mt. everest base camp {18,000 ft} in honor of shar, lexi, and her two grandkids- ben and lauren...to see what it would feel like to have 50% lung capacity.
she described it as breathing from a straw. sharlie only has 18% of one lung and is a constant fighter.
i could go on forever about why there needs to be a cure and my hopes for one...
but as weird as it may sound, i'm so grateful for Cystic Fibrosis.
it has brought so much strength and unity for the larsen family. it has made shar who she is.
but i do pray that there is a cure soon because...
i'm really looking forward to the day maddie, shar and i will be laughing our faces off...and shar won't have to hold herself back because her lack of oxygen. :)
there were so many amazing people that donated and contributed to the night.
it was so special. i'm so glad i was able to go.
i love you to the moon and back shar!
{they gave her a motorized bike...she can ride a bike now!!}
{sunday brunch at coco's}
6 comments:
Awe this is awesome Als! Love your fam and you! U guys are amazing.
awe this is awesome als! love your fam and you. U guys are amazing!
YOU met tenley and kypton? are they as nice in real life as on t.v.?
p.s. this is kerri, kelzones little sister
I love you so much sweetheart! Your surprise was the BEST...I couldn't believe it when I saw your beautiful face! I will never forget that and it meant so much to me to have you there...more than you will ever know. You are so extremely special to me, one of my most precious angels. Can't wait for our next get-together...let's have it be sooner rather than later!! Love you!
P.S. skype: sharliekaltenbach. let's do it!!
Your blog is adorable. I found it through abby. I love looking at your cute life. My little brother has cystic fibrosis so I enjoyed this post! Thanks for sharing
xo
Amanda
Just reading this post was an inspiration in and of itself! I'm so glad you were able to go to the gala...and I'm so proud of Collette and Shar. We are so fortunate to call them family!
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