FINNS BREAKAWAY
Inspired by a love of Soccer
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Meet Finn
Joy Collaborative, alongside a consortium of design and construction professionals, finish "away" space for Finn, a boy who lives with cystic fibrosis (CF) and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD).
Finn McNamara, age 12, needed a space for his twice-daily CF treatment regimen and a quiet area to spend with family and friends. The treatment for Cystic Fibrosis demands the use of a pulsing vest to help loosen the chest. And Finn's hyperactivity prevents him from sitting for the duration of his treatment. "We don't have a lot of space, and the space we have has felt a bit disorganized. So we knew Finn would benefit from a quiet, dedicated space to maintain his treatment plan and stay organized," shared Heidi Olen, Finn's mom.
Finn needed a space to address his range of needs—a place to call his own.
Joy Collaborative enlisted the help of freelance designers Claire Olson and Samuel Busman, who partnered with Gardner Builders to create a space designed in the home based on Finn's needs. Informed by his care team, the result, "Finns Breakaway," is a compact, flexible place that is calming with a bit of a "wow" factor. Adjustable lighting and comfortable seating will provide a space for him to regroup and relax when he becomes anxious. Unique storage solutions provide a spot for his collection of games and activities and showcase his prize possessions.
A highlight of the space is a feature wall with custom graphics provided by Minnesota United and framed signed jerseys from the players. Minnesota Children's and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation provided healthcare expertise and guidance for the project. "Finn's Breakaway" is a nod to soccer, inspirational in the hope that Finn can outrun his health opponents by accessing a supportive space. We're so excited to have a supportive space so Finn can stay healthy. If this space becomes a hang-out space for him and his pre-teen friends, that would be a hat-trick," adds Olen.
Finn's Design, Construction & Donation Team
Architectural Sales MN | LPAV, LLC | TPM Flooring
Architects
Claire Olson, Samuel Busman & Michelle Laun
Interior Designer
Dallas Smith
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, one of thousands of genes found in the DNA in every person. The CFTR gene produces the CFTR protein, which controls the flow of water and certain salts in and out of the body's cells. If the CFTR gene has a mutation that causes the protein to not work, this changes the movement of salt and water in and out of cells and results in thickened mucus throughout the body.
Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. That means both parents must have a mutation of the CFTR gene for a child to be born with the disorder.
In most cases, children with cystic fibrosis are born to parents with no known history of the disorder. In these cases, both parents unknowingly carried the CFTR mutation and passed it on to their child during conception.