Meet Sheridan and Christian
Chances are you’ve already met Sheridan and Christian… If not, let us introduce you to a brave family who have generously shared their personal journey with cystic fibrosis (CF), their experience with Cystic Fibrosis Queensland (CFQ) support services and what these services mean to their family.
Christian and Sheridan began their CF journey when their son Jordan was born in 2000. The couple, wanting to grow their family, then tried to become pregnant again with the assistance of IVF. Sadly these costly and emotionally draining efforts were not successful.
As CF parents, and both carriers of the CF gene, Sheridan and Christian knew the likelihood of having another child with CF was one-in-four or 25%. When the family received the joyous news that another baby was on the way (conceived naturally), they took the time to speak with then seven year old Jordan about his new sibling and CF.
“That’s alright,” Jordan told his mom and dad. “If the new baby has CF, I can tell him all about it: that the doctors and nurses are there to help and the needles don’t hurt that much.”
Little brother Aidan was born in 2007 and like his big brother, Aidan was born with CF. While the family was prepared for the possibility of a second CF child, nothing could have prepared them for the rough road ahead for Aidan.
Sheridan, a special education teacher, and Christian, a member of the Australian Army had been through hard times before, but complications saw Aidan hospitalised three times before he was even 14 months old. The wonderfully supportive Army transferred the family to Brisbane for easier access to the vital medical treatment and CFQ support services both boys need.
Sheridan offered to share her family’s story with the CF Community this Christmas because they are active participants in the support services programs. As a passionate advocate of raising CF awareness, Sheridan and her family know the difference the CFQ support programs make in the lives of individuals with CF and their families.
“CFQ provided a lot of really important, practical support services for families like ours,” she said. “Through CFQ, we have accessed the Physical Activity Subsidy and medical equipment, and the CF team have visited the boys when they are in hospital. They have both received Boredom Buster Bags during their hospital stays, and I have really appreciated their support over many years.”
This year, Sheridan attended a CFQ Mother’s Retreat and together with Christian, they attended a CFQ Parent’s Dinner. “These events are so important to families like ours. They give us an opportunity to share our knowledge with other mums and dads, and to learn from each other. It’s also great to be able to mix with others who know exactly what we are going through.”
This Christmas, it is Sheridan’s wish that you support the efforts of CFQ. Over 850 families access the many support services available to them across the state. For some families, it’s the welcome loan of costly respiratory equipment, educational tools such as the Newly Diagnosed Pack and even free accommodation for regional families visiting Brisbane for treatment.
You can help more than 850 families living with CF this Christmas by donating to the 2010 Christmas Appeal.
