Chelsea Carriere was born with muscular dystrophy.
She was only given six months to live, but she spent the next 27 years educating others and living life to the fullest.
"My parents speaking to Chelsea and me growing up is whatever you put your mind to you can do it. Chelsea never took into consideration the complications. She was kind of like I'm not worried how I'm going to do it, but I'm going to do it, and it'll be great," Claire Carriere, her sister, said.
It was that support that helped Chelsea through her 27 years. It helped her write poetry--her works, eventually published.
"You just see a whole different side to a disability that you may have not seen before," Claire said.
One of Chelsea's biggest achievements: Chelbug Fest, a one-day festival that is dedicated to helping other kids in Acadiana living with muscular dystrophy.
"For Chelbug Fest to be so important to them--it makes us feel like we are able to relate and empathize in a way that others can," Claire said. "We know that there is such a need for it, to see that side of disabilities, not just see it for physically but see each individual for their passions and what they need to do."
After her passing, looking back through old poems that Chelsea had written over the years, Claire and her mother realize that while their love and support kept Chelsea going, she kept them going.
She taught them along the way.
Chelbug Fest is happening Saturday, March 21.
They had to make some changes due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Everything will be online.
You can head to their Facebook page: ChelBug Fest or head to www.chelbugfest.com.