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Young Actress Writes Book To Help Others Deal With Chronic Illness

Chloe R

Pcd Has Nothing on Me! Paperback – March 28, 2016 by Chloe Fernandez

August 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood N J, Getting sick when you’re a kid is no fun. You can’t always do what other kids can do, or go to school like they do. Sometimes it means spending lots of time in the hospital. She sees the nurses in the hospital almost more than her friends. It can be scary, frustrating and boring. Chloe R Fernandez knows this all too well! When she was just six years old, she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive lung disease due to underlying Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD).

11219103 943205095793353 6506848358282491959 nPCD is a genetic disorder. A body with PCD can’t clear its own airway secretions. She’s faced many scary moments when she couldn’t draw a breath and has endured painful and embarrassing treatments. But throughout it all, Chloe has remained positive and upbeat. During her hospitalizations Chloe befriends the nurses, doctors, staff and acts as the “Resident” doctor on call. One of her strongest beliefs is that “life is what you make it,” and her most avid advice is “stay faithful always.” Children of all ages, grappling with any kind of illness or condition, will find both an understanding and comfortable friend in Chloe.

“PCD Has Nothing On Me,” is a 47-page illustrated book, chronicles Chloe’s three-year journey through diagnosis, treatment, and hospitalizations.

Chloe is a vivacious 9 year old who is smart, sassy, kind, caring, loving, a charmer and fashionista. She is an avid reader and writer who has traveled the world via all the books she has read to date. Playing with her American Girl dolls, dress up with her friends and time spent with her family are all her favorite things to do. Chloe has a miniature schnauzer named Abby who she says melts her heart every time she looks at her.

Chloe was diagnosed with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia at the age of 6. PCD is a rare form of lung disease. Chloe has faced many scary moments when she couldn’t draw a breath and has endured many painful and embarrassing treatments. But through it all, Chloe has remained positive and upbeat.

Chloe hopes that in sharing her story she can bring awareness to PCD, but also be an inspiration for other kids living and dealing with chronic illness. She wants them to know they too can achieve anything they set their mind to. Chloe is a firm believer that her challenges don’t define her. She is often quoted as saying, “PCD is what I have not who I am.”

Chloe is a working actress, aspiring singer, and is signed to bmg Models & Talent. She is currently working on her second book.

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Ridgewood girl is princess in the King and I

King and I

DECEMBER 18, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Ridgewood resident Christie Kim, now 7-years-old, has played the role of Princess Ying Yaowalak in Lincoln Center Theater’s “The King and I” more than 200 times since the show returned to Broadway earlier this year.

Christie is one of only three members from the original cast who hasn’t missed a show since it opened. “I want to make it to the 300th show. I just don’t want to miss a show because I’ll miss the people there,” she said. “It feels different each night because there’s always a new audience.”

Christie and the cast of “The King and I” performed the song, “Getting to Know You” at the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “It was pretty early,” said Christie, who had to arrive on location at 5:15 a.m. for the performance. “Some people were nervous, some people were cold.” She enjoyed meeting the cast of “On Your Feet” while participating in the parade.

Christie had another early morning for the cast’s appearance in the 69th Annual Tony Awards last June. “It was cool. I had to wake super early, but I liked seeing all these different and new people there,” she said. “There was a big audience.”

While backstage at the awards, Christie got to interact with such Broadway stars as Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris. “I liked talking to people from ‘On the Town’ and ‘Something Rotten,’” she said.

Another television appearance was for “LIVE with Kelly and Michael.” “It was exciting,” Christie said. “It was a very short moment, but I got to meet Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.” She also talked with actress Rebel Wilson behind the scenes and took a photo with her.

It was a surreal moment for Christie to watch the segment on TV later. “It was good,” she said. “It felt like there was two of me.

https://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/theater/village-girl-is-princess-on-stage-1.1475942