Meet the Kids
About Beckett
When people look at Beckett they see joy. They see strength. They see a talented artist. A performer. An extremely gifted athlete. They don’t see frailty. They don’t see the struggle. They don’t “see” cystic fibrosis.
When Beckett was 12 days old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. He immediately began treatments to slow the progression of this terminal disease. As an infant, he endured chest procession therapy for over an hour a day, multiple breathing treatments, and digestive medication to aid his body’s ability to retain proper nutrition. As Beckett grew, so did his medications and treatments. He continues with his twice-daily routine of an hour in the morning and an hour every evening. He is plugged into a vest machine that squeezes his chest walls and shakes his upper body in efforts to release the sticky mucus in his lungs. He also takes handfuls of medications daily to help support his pancreas function, sinus airways, liver, and protein levels. Beckett visits the hospital for doctor rounds and clinic check-ins every other month. Each visit taking up most of his day.
Beckett plays multiple sports, making the all-star team on each one - football, baseball, basketball, water polo. He has won Waterman of the Year for California State Junior Lifeguard Programs. Beckett has been the lead in 4 musical productions (one production had a curtain call just 5 hours after waking from one of his sinus and bronchoscopy procedures…as he came out of anesthesia his first request was to be cleared to perform). His artwork has been featured in county-wide shows. His writing has been chosen and featured in publications. Beckett truly lives life to the absolute fullest. Beckett doesn’t complain or take pity on all he endures. Most around him don’t even know a fraction of the things he battles daily. Beckett has chosen to define cystic fibrosis - cystic fibrosis will not define him. Keep defying the odds and keep rocking it, Beckett!!
About Emily
Emily was born on July 18th, 1995 in Anaheim, CA. Emily was immediately the pride and joy of her parents. From a very early age, she showed signs of her artistic side; dance, music, and art. Unfortunately, she also showed early signs of CF. Despite these signs, she was not diagnosed with CF until the age of 2 1/2.
Once diagnosed, she was placed on numerous medications and treatment plans to try and slow the progression of CF and to get as healthy as possible. Each month Emily takes over 1100 pills, does 180 breathing or puffer treatments, 15 hours of vest treatments, and 120 hours on a feeding tube. Each month! While the treatments and doctor’s visits take many, many hours, but that does not slow Emily down.
Emily has an amazing passion for dance. For several years, she has danced competitively all over the Western United States as well as Florida in jazz, tap, and lyrical dance competitions. She competed in both solo and group dances. While in school Emily also managed to maintain an A average every year.