Pickin on Cystic Fibrosis
Presents
Tai Clark
Tai Clark
Thirty thousand children and young adults in the US are affected by Cystic Fibrosis. CF is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. The median age of those with CF is 36 years of age. Although the treatments have improved over the past 10 years, there is no cure. Pickin on Cystic Fibrosis (POCF) is a bluegrass festival that raises money for research to find better treatments and ultimately a cure for CF.
The following is an introduction to one of those young adults with CF. We’re very proud to have her as part of our POCF family
Tai Clark makes her home McConnelsville, Ohio. Along with her family, Dad Marvin, and Mom Deana, they run the Ohio Valley Opry (OVO). Before starting the OVO the Clark’s traveled as a family band and spread their faith at Churches throughout the states. They are a family that stands true to their faith. They are not only dealing with Tai having CF, this family has 4 girls, three of the girls have CF. Tai’s older sister Leah, and younger sister Jada, both have CF. She also has a younger sister Elaina, that does not have CF. Believe me, this requires a lot of breathing treatments and medicine just to get through the day.
Tai’s family has been singing Gospel and Country music since before she was born. In fact, just 13 days before Tai was born her mother was singing in Church. Tai says, she “can’t remember not singing”. She’s been at it her entire 20 years.
Her musical interests are singing country, bluegrass, and gospel. She likes to listen to most anything that is good. On any given day you may find her listening to Big Band, the Punch Brothers, anything from the Lonesome River Band to Merle Haggard. A few of her musical influences are Ronnie Milsap, Tammy Wynette, Alison Krauss and Dawn Sears. You can often also catch her playing guitar or mandolin with the staff band at the Ohio Valley Opry.
Along with the daily grind of CF, Tai also has diabetes. This is quite common for those with Cystic Fibrosis. It only adds more to the daily regime of treatments and medicine. It also adds constantly watching her diet and taking insulin to remain healthy.
Through all this, Tai goes to school at Washington State College in Marietta, and is finishing her liberal arts degree. She also works as a barista at a coffee shop in Marietta.
Tai knows she and her sisters have been fortunate, if you can call having CF fortunate. Their health has remained fairly stable. This is not the case for many that have this disease. Many have routine hospital stays throughout the year. They deal with multiple lung infections and digestive issues. Many children lose their battle with CF before they reach adulthood.
Tai Clark is a reminder for us all to be better people. The Pickin on Cystic Fibrosis staff wish her and her family many, many years of happiness and continued good health.
The mission of Pickin on Cystic Fibrosis is to support the Hunt for a Cure organization in funding research projects for better treatments, and ultimately a cure. We hope you take the time to visit our web sites and learn a little bit about what we do. Mostly, we hope you will visit and support our festival and our sponsors. Maybe, just maybe we can make life better for the 30,000 children and young adults like Tai.
Pickin on Cystic Fibrosis Bluegrass Festival
www.pickinoncf.com
www.huntforacure.org
September 8th, 9th, 10th 2011
KC Campgrounds
14048 Sherman Rd. Milan
Michigan 48160
