Victor
9 years old
Cystic fibrosis
Victor is an amazing artist. He uses his wonderful imagination and drawing skills to escape his hospital bed and, together with his ‘super-powered’ teddies, he goes on action-packed underwater adventures with his favourite creatures – sharks. These adventures help to fill the many hours Victor spends in hospital, when his body is trying to fight off infections.
Victor was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis via the heel prick test he had as a newborn. Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, airways and digestive system, and is the most common life-shortening genetic disease affecting children. Eight years on, Victor has airway physiotherapy twice a day and regular medications to keep his lungs healthy.
The cystic fibrosis research at Telethon Kids is recognised as one of the world’s leading research programs, and it has led to a paradigm shift in the understanding of early lung disease. Our researchers are tackling lung infections that are resistant to antibiotics, so that kids like Victor, don’t just get to be kids; they get to go on great adventures and one day perhaps swim with sharks.