How do you explain something like cystic fibrosis to a child?

[NewJeffCT]

One of the first grade teachers at my daughter's school had a baby a few months ago, and it was recently found that the baby boy has cystic fibrosis. They're doing a fundraiser for the family this weekend, but I wanted to know how to explain something like that to my daughter - not the fundraiser, but how a child can have something like cystic fibrosis and what it is. My daughter's girl scout troop is donating books for this fundraiser, so I am sure she will ask, especially since she has a friend in this teacher's class.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Tell her the truth.

That it is a genetically acquired disease, that she has no chance of catching it, and that it is serious, but treatments have expanded so greatly in the last few years that this child will probably live a full life.

Don't tell her that it can be terminal. With Obama's release on the Bush administration hold on embryonic stem cell research, they'll probably find a cure.

[NewJeffCT]

2. Thanks

I was planning on telling her the truth... she's been pretty lucky in her life so far (knock on wood) in that her parents and grandparents are all pretty healthy and all still together, and that nobody we know has had any major health issues beyond a few classmates breaking bones.

[jobycom]

8. Second that.

I wouldn't talk about the cure too much, or the mortality. Kids will notice what emphasis you put on it. Focus on the present situation (doctors are treating it, it will be expensive) and not what might happen down the road. Kids worry about the present.

And answer questions. Other kids will be gossiping about what they've learned, and the gossip will probably be wild and wrong, so she may already have questions that she needs accurate answers for.

Don't don't don't lie to her. That will shake her more than learning about the illness would.

Just some suggestions.

[ogneopasno]

3. I'd say that once in awhile babies are born with a part of their bodies that doesn't work right,

but that doctors work very hard to help them.

[LynzM]

6. Yup, that and...

If you can explain what it is that isn't working, in child-appropriate and not-scary terms, they can handle it. Our daughter (6) has been exposed to my diabetes, assorted grandparent illnesses, friends of ours with cancer, chronic pain, wheelchairs, etc. Kids can handle it - they will mostly react to *your* attitude. :)

[redqueen]

4. Go old school.

Tell her it's a sign that God is displeased with someone in the kid's family.

[NewJeffCT]

5. LOL

I'm still struggling with how to explain God to her, when my wife & I are both atheists.

I've even had her take "under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance when she says it, though I said it was okay to say "under God" in school. Wasn't "under God" added in during the Red Scares of the 50s?

[redqueen]

7. Yep.

Someday it'll be taken out again, though. :)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. tell her that sometimes children are born with bodies that are sick

and then be aware she might be very upset

i was a very sensitive child and would cry and get very agitated if i thought anyone else was hurt.