Sophomore at Staunton River Combats Her Cystic Fibrosis Through Her Love of Sports

Despite having cystic fibrosis, Lynsey Ball always manages to stay positive, no matter the situation. Her infectious energy radiates throughout her school; even just passing her in the hallway can brighten someone's day. Many might assume she suffers from a lack of energy, but it’s actually quite the opposite; some would even call her hyper! Cystic fibrosis hasn't been able to dampen Ball's spirit in any way, possibly due to the fact that it's not her only competition — she's also a three-sport athlete, integral in bringing Staunton River to victory. 

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that reduces a person’s ability to breathe due to persistent lung infections. Patients suffer from continuous coughing, and the risk of frequent lung infections can cause pneumonia or bronchitis. The disease can also cause wheezing, trouble gaining weight, occasional bowel issues, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may seem like a barrier to an athlete, but Ball refuses to let the disease keep her away from her dreams and passion. 

Lynsey’s younger brother suffers from the disease as well. She and her brother were diagnosed with the condition before age two; Lynsey herself was only five months old when doctors caught the disease. This can have a significant impact on the success of the treatment; the earlier a course of treatment is administered, the more impact it will have on the patient’s overall health.

The symptoms vary from patient to patient, as does their severity. This makes treatment difficult. In order to administer the best treatment, doctors should have an individual relationship with the patient. Ball has to undergo daily breathing treatments and pills. They no longer bother her because she knows how much these pills and breathing treatment have helped her. She has to take over 60 pills each day, but by taking them, she can avoid certain hardships associated with the disease. 

She cannot eat without properly preparing first: before consuming food, she has to take eight pancreatic enzyme supplements. These enzymes are crucial for her athletic performance as they help in the absorption of vital nutrients from food. She also takes breathing treatments twice per day. Since she cannot obtain enough nutrients through normal eating, she has to use a feeding tube. Still, she has had great success not only in athletics, but in other areas as well. She says she and her brother compete against each other to see who gains more weight or who grows the most.

Despite her struggles, she shows her competitive side at the doctor’s office and also in JV basketball, varsity volleyball, and softball. She feels athletics is another form of treatment. She says that since sports helps to clear her lungs, she is always encouraged to play sports and loves to do so. Every May, her softball team sponsors a tournament and donates the proceeds to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The driving force for Ball is the support of her team and others. She feels it is of the utmost importance to spread awareness of the disease and recommends others to push themselves hard, keep eating healthy, and to not let anything hold you back.