ydney Willig isn’t one to let anything hold
her back.
Sydney, 15, was diagnosed with cystic
fibrosis when she was just two weeks old,
and was late diagnosed with CF diabetes
in 5th grade. “There are a few adjustments
I have to make in my daily life, including
keeping an eye on my sugar number
and making sure if there’s someone else
with CF to stay at least 10 feet away,” she
says. “Additionally, I have to do vest and
breathing treatments an hour before school starts and then
again before bed. If I’m sick, an after-school treatment is
added. In a healthy week, I take more than 300 pills, including
seven pills with each meal.”
Sydney, daughter of Lisa and Greg Willig, is in 10th
grade at Norwin High School. She’s involved at school and
throughout the community. At school, she plays soccer and
unified track, and also enjoys reading to the elementary kids.
In the winter, Sydney races in downhill skiing on the Deep
Creek Winter Sports team, and enjoys water skiing and
paddleboarding in the summer.
Outside of school, Sydney speaks at events for the CF
Foundation and Make-A-Wish. “I believe sharing my story
will help with fundraising toward finding the cure for CF,” she
explains.
Playing sports and being active is important to her. “I love
meeting new people and staying active,” she says. “If I stay
active, I see many positive results—including staying healthy
and keeping my lungs clear.”
Sydney’s life is very
different from a typical
15-year-old. She’s learned
that her body reacts
differently than those she
skis and plays soccer with,
but these “extras”—as she
and her family call them—
allow her to persevere and
push herself to be the best
person and athlete she
can be.
Sydney’s been ski racing
since she was 3 years old,
and has played soccer since
she was 5. Along the way,
she’s achieved numerous
accolades including being
named the 2018 CF Athlete
of the Year in Pittsburgh.
Additionally, she is part of her high school soccer team, which
won the state championship in 2017. Also in 2017, Sydney
was named CF Workout Warrior for the month of April
through the Boomer Esiason Foundation, and in 2016 she
reached the States level for ski racing.
The high school athlete has many mentors to look to for
inspiration. “I admire Lindsey Vonn for ski racing,” she says.
“Julie Ertz and Alex Morgan are my biggest role models from
the U.S. women’s soccer team.
“I’m also very inspired by James Conner because he was
told he may never play again, but he showed the doctors that
even during treatments, while being sick, he could work out
and fight for a sport he loves,” Sydney adds.
Sydney’s parents, family and close friends have been there
every step of the way for the determined and inspiring young
woman. “The word ‘proud’ does not give justice to Sydney’s
fight with CF and CF diabetes,” says her mother, Lisa. “Not
knowing anyone with CF, we were terrified by Sydney’s
diagnosis. At her first appointment, we were provided with
two options—let her live her life in a bubble and she would
still get sick, or let her live like any other child. We opted for
the latter, and have pushed Sydney to create a life that’s hers.”
Sydney plans to go to college after graduation to study
special and elementary education. She hopes to continue with
soccer and wants to help inspire those living with CF. “I want
to help people understand that you represent yourself—not
your illness,” she says. “I will not use CF as an excuse or let
it define me, and I will not take this fight sitting down. I will
continue to be the best version of myself that I can be, despite
the hardships and difficulty CF can bring.” n
NORWIN ❘ SPRING 2019
9