Hi, my name is Nathaniel, and this is my CF story. I was diagnosed with CF when I was six days old. Now I’m thirteen years old. The thing I hate most about having CF is how much time I spend doing breathing treatments. I have to do two of them every day and each one takes about an hour. It’s even worse when I get sick, because then I have to do three to four every day.
I am proud that I get to live a pretty normal life. My favorite thing to do is play baseball. My biggest hope is for a cure. I can’t wait for the day that I don’t have to take so many pills every time I eat and don’t have to spend so much time hooked up to my vest.
I’ve also been lucky enough to meet NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. His charity raises lots of money that is donated to the CF Foundation every year. I even got to be the Grand Marshal for the Short Track Showdown at South Boston Speedway in 2014. Denny’s family and crew always make it a point to treat me extra special any time he races close to my house.
You can help make my dream come true by raising awareness and fundraising. I’ve recently started taking what my doctor calls the “miracle drug”. I can say that I feel the difference. I have more endurance and energy. It has helped me be a better baseball player. The research that made this drug possible is because of the donations received.