Sticky Icky Booger Bugs is the tale of a boy’s battle with cystic fibrosis as he attempts to avoid the hospital. I wrote Sticky Icky Booger Bugs after my sons, Kory and Kevin, were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. I wanted to explain aspects of the disorder using words they could understand. Helped by colorful illustrations, and the knowledge they gained, they were able to deal with the sticky icky booger bugs using simple routines to keep their cystic fibrosis at bay. This story lets children know that they are loved, no matter what their medical situation may be.

We don’t know that much about cystic fibrosis. Educate us please.
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. There are 30,000 children each year diagnosed and battling cystic fibrosis. There is no cure for this progressive disease.

Sounds horrible. Where does it come from and how does it affect sufferers?
A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas. People with cystic fibrosis do airway clearance techniques (ACT) to loosen and get rid of the mucus from the lungs. Clearing mucus, or sticky icky booger bugs as my children and I refer to it as, helps to reduce the severity of lung infections and improve lung function.

Thanks for bringing us back to the book. Tell us who it is aimed at.
Sticky Icky Booger Bugs is picture book for children ages 0 – 7.

This book is perfect for parents to read to their kids, teachers to read in the classroom, or anyone that is affected by cystic fibrosis.

Who is your main character?
Kory Frith is a boy that is fighting a disease that currently has no cure. Kory is just like any other kid. He loves recess, playing soccer, and exploring his neighborhood with his best friend. With every puff, cough, and sneeze, Kory keeps the sticky icky booger bugs away so he can have fun every day!

It’s nice that you named the character after your child. Makes it feel more personal.
Tell us more about yourself.
I am the mother of three boys and the founder of a non-profit organization called Helping Hearts. I currently reside in Bakersfield, CA and am the Chief Financial Officer at a local concrete construction business. My 3 boys are very energetic, athletic, and enjoy sports. On most weekdays or weekends I can be found in the stand cheering Kyle in soccer, Kevin in football or Kory in baseball.

So real-life Kory is a baseball fan, while the fictional one prefers soccer? Neat.
Do you have a website where we can keep up with your work?
http://beatsnot.com/

Are you on Twitter?
@beatsnot