"Escape to Neverland" by Amanda Hanks

When I received the invitation to participate in this year's Sing It for CF: Marathon of Song, the option to share a song was appealing because I had one meaningful song in mind. However, my health at the start of the session in September 2024 had declined to the point that even sitting up was challenging. Throughout the weekly sessions until September 2025, I had requested to focus on breathing exercises to increase my stamina and at the end of that session I was able to sit up for almost 2 hours. Since I had not practiced singing during those sessions, Betty Merkle helped to provide singing lessons for 6 weeks in preparation to share a song. 

Betty was imperative to my desire to share a song as she continually encouraged me over every hurdle.  At the beginning of singing lessons, my goal was to perform a song with only a track and no accompaniment. However, I got bronchitis with only 2 weeks until the deadline to submit a video and was barely about to speak without coughing.  Betty increased my sense of confidence by explaining that it would be alright to sing along with accompaniment and reminded me that I was just beginning this singing journey so expecting perfection was not realistic.  

The song I chose to share was "Lost Boy" by Ruth B that pertains to Peter Pan and the Lost Boys in Neverland. Ruth B explained that the inspiration for this song was the TV series Once Upon a Time, which is a drama alternating between a fantastical world where fairy tales happen and a fictional seaside town in Maine. The writers of this series stated that it was about "seeing that among all the trials and tributations of life, you can persevere and find light among the darkness"; "it's the ability to think your life will get better".  For me, this song and tv series are about hope, positivity, connectivity and believing in the best versions of yourself.  

sINgSPIRE has provided me with the same type of feelings inspired by the song "Lost Boy" because when I'm not feeling well there is a craving to escape to Neverland and forget about CF.  Parts of this song deal with feeling alone, which can happen when you're sick because of physical separation, mental exhaustion, and emotional thoughts that no one can identify with what you are going through at that time. The sINgSPIRE community has created a forum where I feel connected through the emails, shared articles and videos, weekly instruction, and online group gatherings.  

An added bonus to this experience was that Betty had planned a trip to Disney World in Orlando during our singing sessions.  She took a picture at Peter Pan's Flight ride and sent it to me, which lifted my spirits and helped me to escape to Neverland. My wish for everyone in this group is that they also find an escape from CF while singing!

This year’s Marathon of Song is on October 26th at 2pm CDT! Don’t miss Amanda’s performance along with many others!