Mermaids have unique breathing concerns while they’re on land. In Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” a young mermaid princess trades her voice for an opportunity to live on the land and capture the heart of a handsome prince—a fairy tale loved by children and adults of all ages.
In Scotland, there is a real-life mermaid who is in desperate need. Not to live out a fairy tale, but to live life as a mermaid on land. She is battling a rare respiratory disease called cystic fibrosis (CF) that is threatening to silence her voice, and she is counting on the kindness of strangers to help her live out a simple dream through an organ donation.
Young children love to play—run, skip, dance, sing. It’s the joy of every parent to hear them busy running around and enjoying the fresh air. CF makes it very difficult for children to get a full breath or to exercise, depending on the severity. Stairs can be a real challenge.
When day-to-day activities are difficult, parents will rise to the occasion to push, pray, and seek a solution. For Diane Walker, it means hoping the next phone call will bring a miracle. Eight-year-old Ruby needs a lung transplant.
