Meet Kristopher Dale - the eight-year-old schoolboy who is refusing to allow a potentially life-limiting condition stand in his way.
Kristopher was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis three weeks after his birth following a heel-prick test.
The South Shields schoolboy has to undergo a daily routine of medication and physiotherapy sessions around his studies.
Kristopher also has to overcome a phobia of needles every six weeks to have his portacath flushed.
But the clever eight-year-old never complains and continues to exceed his teachers' expectations at Lord Blyton Primary School.
Now, his proud mum Sarah Dale has nominated Kristopher for a 'Champion Child of Courage' award in our Chronicle Champion Awards.
Sarah said: "I just wanted him to know how brave and special I think he is, and not just because I'm his mum.
"He takes it as it comes, and where I can get really bogged down with the condition at time he does not.
"I see the anxiety when he needs the portacuth flushed, I see he is terrified and he gets on with it anyway.
"He goes through more in a day than most kids his age have in their lifetime.
"He has a condition that will end his life one day and the way he faces it head on is awe inspiring."
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic condition that leads to the build up of mucus in the lungs and digestive system. This can cause lung infections and problems digesting food.
Sarah, 32, admits she did not know much about cystic fibrosis before Kristopher was diagnosed and believes many do not understand the severity of the condition.
She added: "I didn't know a lot about cystic fibrosis before. I had read a book where a character had the condition, but that's pretty much all I knew.
“I think because children with cystic fibrosis tend to look pretty well on the outside, people underestimate the condition. He does look healthy, but there's a lot of work that goes into that."
Mum-of-two Sarah and Kristopher are now used to a daily routine involving several doses of medication and physiotherapy sessions.
Sarah gave up her job as a 101 call handler to look after Kristopher and three-year-old daughter Grace, and admits the demands of the condition can sometimes be overwhelming as a parent.
She said: "It's hard - you get into a routine with it.
"It becomes your normality, but every so often something happens and it reminds you cystic fibrosis will always have the upper hand."
Sarah says being unable to engage in activities such as martial arts, boxing and rugby makes Kristopher feel "very different" to his friends. The eight-year-old is always the first one home after playing out with his friends due to his lengthy treatment routine.
But rather than dwelling on his condition, Kristopher has taken a strong interest in learning both at school and at home.
Sarah said: “He wants to know everything. He loves his history, geography and science.
"He is so interested in how things work and what happened to make it work. I say to him he would be brilliant in a pub quiz team.
"He is so funny but he does not mean to be, which makes him even funnier."
Cystic fibrosis typically worsens over time, and can be fatal if it leads to a serious infection or the lungs stop working properly.
NHS guidelines indicate about half of people with the condition will live past the age of 40. Children born with the condition now are expected to live longer as result of advancements in treatment.
Sarah is aware of the outlook for Kristopher, but still believes he is capable of achieving anything he puts his mind to.
She finished: “I hope that he will live for longer than I expect him to. He is so bright, he can be anything that he wants to be.
"I hope he gets the chance to be able to do that. "
To enter the Chronicle Champions awards - please click here for an online entry form - otherwise contact Amy Taylor on 0191 201 6092 or email amy.taylor@reachplc.com and she will advise on an alternative entry.
Closing date for entries is Friday September 27 2019.
