Ridgewood 9-Year-Old With Lung Disorder Pens Book To Inspire Others

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Chloe Fernandez, a 9-year-old from the village, always wants to inspire others. To do that she has written a book, "PCD Has Nothing On Me."

Fernandez has primary ciliary dyskinesia. The condition makes the cilia unable to remove mucus from the lungs. It often leads to the victim having a very difficult time breathing. She was diagnosed with the condition when she was 6.

Fernandez had times when she couldn't breathe and had to go through "embarrassing" treatments. But, she remained positive throughout the entire experience. She kept a journal while being treated and organized the entires into chapters.

"PCD Has Nothing On Me."was published in December with the help of the Make-A-Wish and the Macy's Believe Campaign.

The need to write a book grew out of Fernandez's desire to read a book written by a child with PCD, but she couldn't find one.

"I want other children with PCD or chronic illnesses to know they are not alone in what they are going through and feeling," Fernandez told Latina.com. "I want to let them know no matter what they are going through, they should stay faithful to God, be brave and be strong. There is nothing they can’t overcome or achieve if they set their mind to it. Our challenges don’t define who we are."

Fernandez often encourages others on her social media accounts and volunteers her time to help other kids battling cancer and other diseases. That's what she wanted to do with her book.

"I decided to write the book for the kids. I wanted to let them know that they're not alone," Fernandez told NorthJersey.com.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com