Claire was born in August 2003

Claire was born with a distended abdomen caused by a condition called meconium peritonitis.  Her intestine had ruptured.  This is a side effect of Cystic Fibrosis.  She spent the first 2 1/2 months of her life in the Neonatal ICU (NICU).
The day they told us we could take her home we left the hospital as fast as we could before they could change their mind.  It was an exciting day!
Claire - Year One
Claire was in the hospital several times during her first year due to lung exacerbations.  Each time she was in the hospital for a two week period. 
Claire - Year Two

Most people with CF take pancreatic enzymes to help them digest their food.  They can take hundreds of pills a week between their enzymes, antibiotics and other oral medicines.
Yes, that is a baby doll stroller that she is sitting in.
Claire - Year Three
This was a tough year.  Claire was still having difficulty gaining and maintaining weight.  So, we made the decision to have a feeding tube button put in.
She also started preschool, which she loved. 
Claire - Year Four

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetically inherited chronic-illness.   Most people do not know that they carry the defective CF gene; about '1' in '32'.
Claire - Year Five
Claire does nebulized breathing treatments with her vest twice a day.  When she is sick she will do them multiple times a day.
Claire - Year Six
Claire was able to gain and maintain weight so her feeding tube button was removed.  Woohoo!
Claire - Year Seven
Exercise is very important for people with CF.
Claire - Year Eight
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has various fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for CF Research, including the Great Strides CF Walk.  Our team is Claire's Hope.
Claire - Year Nine
This was the year that Claire chose a Disney Cruise and to pet a dolphin as her Make A Wish.  This was a trip full of great memories for our entire family.
Claire - Year Ten
This year our Claire's Hope walk teams, in both Pennsylvania and Florida, walked in our 10th Great Strides Walk.
The support from our family and friends is amazing and we appreciate it so much.
Claire - Year Eleven
This year our family got to visit the island of Oahu in Hawaii.  Claire really enjoyed the hiking, especially Diamond Head.  She says next time she wants to run the whole way up.
Claire - Year Twelve
This year Claire got braces.   We also had to start monitoring her for CF-related diabetes.  This too is a side effect of the damage that CF does to the pancreas.
Claire - Year Thirteen
This year Claire was hospitalized because her lung function had decreased.  While she was at the hospital she got a visit from some of the Pittsburgh Penguins; Crosby, Fleury, Fehr and Matta.
Claire - Year Fourteen
This year's story is in the making!