Delaware Community School second-grader CJ Motta got a chance to be the teacher for a while on Friday, giving his classmates some first-hand lessons on what it’s like to live with cystic fibrosis.
CJ’s class has been reading up on the disease, which causes a thick, sticky buildup of mucus in the lungs and other organs, making it difficult to breathe. CJ, his mom Tracy Van Hattum, and Albany Medical Center nurse Frances Gransbury told students about how the disease affects CJ and others living with it.
CJ’s classmates breathed through narrow straws to get a sense of what it’s like to struggle to breathe. They also learned that people living with cystic fibrosis need to be very careful about germs because they are at high risk for infections, which is why CJ has his own pencils and school supplies and his space has to be cleaned frequently with anti-bacterial wipes.
And CJ demonstrated his “airway clearance” device, an inflatable vest that vibrates to loosen the gunk in his lungs. CJ has to use the vest up to an hour at a time, twice a day, in addition to taking numerous medications.
On Friday, Delaware Community School showed its support for CJ by wearing purple and holding a school-wide assembly about cystic fibrosis. CJ also was interviewed by WRGB Channel 6.
CJ and his family and friends are taking part in a raising money for cystic fibrosis research. Learn more about their efforts here.
Click here to see a Facebook photo collection of CJ and his classmates. You don't need a Facebook account to see the pictures; a window may display the text, “To see more from Albany schools on Facebook, log in or create an account," but you can dismiss it by clicking "not now."
The mission of the City School District of Albany is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves more 9,600 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
