Kelsey Gibson-Geurds

Jade has read Kelsey’s piece and is happy for it to be shared

My sister and I were on the bus home from primary school. It was March 20th, 2007. After a long 30-minute ride, we hopped off and immediately noticed our grandparents’ car parked at the stop.

“Your parents had the baby!” they said, beaming. “Let’s go home to get you both changed, then we’ll drive over.”

It was a 45-minute drive to the nearest hospital. I don’t remember the journey, just the anticipation.

When we finally arrived at the ward, the first thing I remember was seeing my mum. She looked tired, worn out, like she’d been through something unimaginable. She didn’t look well. Then I saw a tiny, unmoving figure in a plastic box on wheels. That was my little sister. A sticker above her head read: Jade Ella Holland.

At just four weeks old, Jade was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.

We’d never heard of it before. “No one in the family has this,” we said. But as we would come to learn, both our parents were silent carriers of the gene that causes CF. It had likely been in our family for generations, quietly passing through our DNA. Genetics is funny that way, like fractions. Two halves, each holding part of the gene, came together to create a whole.

I could write an entire book about Jade, our family, and our journey with CF. But for this piece, I want to share a few moments that capture what it’s like growing up alongside a sibling with a genetic condition that changed everything.

Jade had to take enzymes with apple sauce before every meal which meant our house was always stocked with purees. She needed daily chest physiotherapy: my mum or stepdad would tap her chest, back, and sides to loosen the thick mucus that threatened to clog her lungs. We had to be careful when anyone was sick. Jade’s immune system was (and still is) vulnerable. We followed strict rules such as masks, hand sanitiser, and distancing. And yes, long before COVID made them part of everyday life for a few years. A simple cold for most could land Jade in hospital. Her skin was always salty. Our late cat, Seta, used to lick her forehead constantly which was a tiny, strange detail that stuck with me.

Despite everything, Jade was hilarious. She brought so much joy and chaos into our lives. She also ruined every CD and toy my sister and I owned, but we couldn’t imagine life without her.

For years, CF dictated everything. Then something shifted. Awareness and funding started to grow. In 2018, a drug called Orkambi was listed on the PBS – A breakthrough for Jade’s CF mutation, F508Del.

It felt like the start of something.

Then came a word I’ll never forget: Trikafta.

I’d seen it pop up in petitions, articles, biotech briefings. I even got to have dinner with the best friend of the scientist who developed it. Working in biotech helped me understand its significance.

“It puts water back through the body,” a colleague explained. “It clears out the mucus.”

Trikafta is the closest thing to a cure CF patients have ever had. It doesn’t just improve lung function, it slows the disease’s progression. It’s life changing.

And now, Jade has her life ahead of her. She takes fewer medications. She’s stronger. For the first time, we don’t have to count her life in thirds.

I’m 27 now, turning 28 soon. The age that used to mark the average life expectancy for someone with CF. Now, I joke that Jade is the healthiest one in the family.

She loves playing video games, doing nails, listening to music, and hanging out with her best friend, Shaolin. She dreams of becoming a beautician one day, and now, she gets to dream big.

I can’t tell Jade’s story from her own perspective. But I can share mine, and hope it raises awareness and hope for other families.

We love you, Jade Ella Holland. We are so proud of you. And we are so grateful you’re healthy.

Copyright Kelsey Gibson-Geurds, May 2025. All rights reserved; this intellectual property belongs solely to Kelsey Gibson-Geurds.

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About Kelsey Gibson-Geurds

Hi, My name is Kelsey Renee Gibson-Geurds. I am an accomplished Office Manager at Australia and New Zealand for a global monopoly biotech company, where I utilise my extensive background in business, commerce, management, and business administration to ensure seamless operations. With a strong commitment to efficiency and a meticulous attention to detail, I play a crucial role in supporting the employees mission and goals.Outside of my professional life, I share a deep bond with my 10-month-old kitten, Bean, who has become not just a pet, but a best friend and source of comfort. This companionship is especially meaningful as I navigate life with both an autoimmune disorder and a collagen disorder. These health challenges have been a (debilitating yet insightful) journey of learning and self-discovery, teaching the importance of working in harmony with my body, rather than against it. Writing serves as a primary outlet for expressing my emotions and thoughts that are difficult to articulate. This creative pursuit brings a sense of clarity and peace, making it an essential part of my life. In addition to writing, I enjoy practicing yoga, taking walks, exploring new places (when I can) and playing my PlayStation 5 or Switch —activities that provide both physical and mental rejuvenation. A true foodie at heart, I have a passion for diverse cuisines, with a particular love for Japanese and Turkish dishes, reflecting my open-minded and curious nature. Family is central to my life, with two siblings nearby and one in Queensland. This biography is written with special excitement, this is my grandmother’s website —a project I am eager to see blossom and grow.