Claire Wineland was born with cystic fibrosis or “CF”, a genetic disease that causes excessive mucus secretions and collection, especially in the lungs. In her short life, Claire has undergone dozens of surgeries and has spent weeks at a time in the hospital. This is not, however, what characterizes her. Claire is a singer, an artist, a composer, and a natural-born comedian and speaker. She radiates with a warmth and wisdom beyond her years. She has been called a “little Buddha” a “bridge among people”, and a “true old soul.” She is precious to anyone who has met her, especially to her mother, Melissa, and her father, John.

On April 13, 2010 after a relatively routine surgery, Claire became septic and within 24 hours, was in complete lung failure. Her parents were given the option of watching Claire die or putting her on a dangerous oscillator vent, which no child with CF has ever come off of. Her parents opted to put her on the high powered vent and into a drug induced coma so the doctors could try everything possible to reverse the damage to her lungs and her body. What followed was a remarkable two-week journey of prayer, love and healing.

So many people were inspired by Claire’s journey that a public Facebook page, “Claire Wineland Love, Songs and Updates”, was created to disseminate the seemingly ever changing information. Within two weeks, the fans on the page grew to over 900. Out of this grew the desire and need for a foundation.

Claire constantly strives to give back and make meaning of what she has had to go through; the message she shares is her way to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/clairewineland
Twitter:  @clairewineland
Claire’s Place Foundation, Inc: www.clairesplacefoundation.org