StoriesZQowkxAAACIA1Fdl | dominique-babins-story
Dominique Babin’s Story
May 19, 2024https://cystic-fibrosis.netlify.app/en-ca/blog/dominique-babins-story | cystic-fibrosis.netlify.app | /en-ca/blog/dominique-babins-story
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My name is Dominique Babin. I am a lawyer at the Ministry of Justice, a proud mother of two grown-up boys and an avid bike rider, swimmer and race runner. At age 50, I decided to challenge myself by participating in the Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant in June 2024. These exciting pursuits conceal another reality dear to my heart: my niece Alexie’s brave fight against cystic fibrosis.
Alexie, my brother’s daughter, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a teenager, when she was 15 or 16 years old. Even though her journey with this disease has been riddled with adversities, she has never lost her smile. She has openly shared her experience on social media, which allows us to better understand her daily challenges and unshakeable courage.
We were all surprised by her diagnosis. We wrongly thought that cystic fibrosis affected only the lungs. But the abdominal pain and constant fatigue Alexie felt were actually the preliminary signs of this insidious disease for her .
In the last eight years, we have learned a lot about cystic fibrosis and how it impacts Alexie’s life. Each time she is hospitalized or finds it hard to continue her studies, we are reminded of just how devastating this disease is. Nevertheless, Alexie continues to hope and fight for her dream of becoming a nurse.
The revolutionary treatment Trikafta is unfortunately not accessible to Alexie for the time being. She spends around 200 days in hospital every year and takes a multitude of medication every day. We need to inform others of her situation to raise public awareness of the importance of research and support for people affected by cystic fibrosis.
The Walk To Make Cystic Fibrosis History is an opportunity for me to support Alexie and all Canadians who live with cystic fibrosis. I registered for the Walk because I want to raise awareness and funds for research.
This year’s edition of the Walk is quite special because it honours those we have lost and celebrates the resilience of those who live with cystic fibrosis. It is also a way to advance research toward a future without symptoms for everyone affected by this disease.
Research will advance with your support. Without you, we will not be able to hope for a better future for Alexie and all other Canadians who suffer from cystic fibrosis. This vision is what drives me to keep fighting and moving forward, one step at a time.
Learn more about the annual Walk and how you can join to make a difference in the lives of those living with CF. Together, we can work towards a future free from the challenges of cystic fibrosis.