Spring Valley Child Remains Cheerful In Spite of Medical Challenges

This post was written by Jay Steiger, and originally appeared on Jay Steiger's Blog on Patch. 

James Babbitt is a lot like any other 4th-grade boy.  He enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing video games, and climbing trees.  But James also has to live with a day to day medical challenge.  A serious condition which means lots of medicine and two week long stays in the hospital several times a year.

James has Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a disease which impairs breathing and sometimes pancreatic function as well.  Despite these challenges, he is an amazingly happy child who brings an engaging positive attitude to everyone he meets.  His father, Steve, has said that James’ attitude sometimes carries his entire family.

On Saturday, May 18, James, his family and many families dealing with Cystic Fibrosis will be holding their annual research fundraiser; The CF Great Strides Walk, at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetically caused disease which affects over 30,000 people in the United States, and 70,000 worldwide.  The disease causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus which makes it difficult to breathe and can lead to lung infections.  Additionally, CF can interfere with pancreatic function, causing a form of diabetes.  In the 1950’s most children with CF didn’t live past age 5, but now regular treatments have extended this to the 30’s with expectations that life spans will continue to be extended.

CF is known as an orphan disease because comparatively few people have it.  Because of this, most research funding for treatment and a cure comes from the CF Foundation, which relies heavily on local fundraisers and outreach, like the Great Strides Walk.

James’ mother, Tammie, is a teacher at Kempton Elementary and his father, Steve, is a website design consultant and pastor for the Spring Valley Community Church.  He has an older sister and a younger brother.  James attends Murdock Elementary and noted that he likes school and his favorite subject is science. 

Steve said that James’ positive attitude is inspirational.  When Steve and Tammie worried about talking about mortality, James brought the subject up with a question asking if he might live to be 100.  His father told him that maybe, with his great attitude and participation in all treatments, who knows how far he might go.

James would like to be a scientist when he grows up and hopes to invent robots and flying cars.  If he could meet anyone in the world he said he would build a time machine and go back to meet Albert Einstein.

While he takes 18 pills every day, uses an inhaler, and sometimes spends his holidays in the hospital, James has a smile for everyone and keeps active with diverse activities.  He has played Little League baseball, acted in the recent Peter Pan Junior Theater production of Guys and Dolls, and was treated to a limousine ride and front row seats to his favorite TV show, Americas Funniest Home Videos, by the Make a Wish Foundation.

James and his family invite everyone to visit their Great Strides walk page and note that supporters do not have to walk to contribute to his or any other walker’s team. Information can be found here:  http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/SteveBabbitt