ANIKA FLYING HIGH TO TAKE ON ALL CHALLENGES
WHEN 12-year-old gymnast Anika Reid was born with cystic fibrosis, mum Stacey thought she was “doomed” to a life of hospital visits and illness.
Now Reid is about to compete in the Queensland Junior State Championships this weekend in Chandler,when only 11 years ago she was “in and out of hospital with numerous chest infections that never seemed to end”.
Fans will be able to watch Reid and 1000 other young stars compete from today via Kommunitytv.
Unlike many other kids, Reid’s hard work begins long before she puts on her leotard and steps into the gym for 16 hours a week.
Cystic fibrosis is a lifethreatening disorder that requires her to take 16 tablets, two nebulisers and one inhaler every morning, and then a handful more each time she eats, which often includes during practice.
While exercise is not the only reason for Reid’s excellent health, Stacey believes the “discipline, determination and confidence” gymnastics has ingrained in her has strengthened not only her body, but her mind.
“If you have cystic fibrosis, you have to do a lot of exercise so you don’t get sick that often,” Reid said.
“In gymnastics there’s a lot of exercise, I train five days a week, four hours at a time.”
Reid said her ultimate goal is to follow in the footsteps of idol Georgia Godwin and reach the Olympics.
Reid recently began taking breakthrough drug Trikafta, which Stacey said could finally give her the life of any other kid.
“If we keep going with this drug, her life expectancy will be like a normal person.
“I still pinch myself and can’t believe what she can achieve now.
“I thought she’d be one of the sick little kids that you see online and in hospitals.
“I thought she was doomed from the beginning.”
CEO and Managing Director of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Petrina Fraccaro said there are many benefits of exercise for patients with cystic fibrosis, but there is still no cure for the disorder.
“The benefits of aerobic, anaerobic, and strength exercise training programs for health and quality of life, however, the people living with cystic fibrosis are faced with unique barriers and challenges to participation as many suffer greatly reduced lung capacity,” Fraccaro said.
“There is no cure for cystic fibrosis but with daily treatment, percussion, nebulisation, infection control and exercise, it can be managed.”
Fraccaro said the endorphins released when exercising are just as important in creating a position mindset and being hopeful for the future — both of which are important when living with a life-limiting chronic illness.
You can watch Reid and thousands young gymnasts perform at the Queensland Junior State Championships from Saturday