The nine-year-old Bella Thomson has more than 6.2 million followers on TikTok, and she is known to them as “Bella Brave,” but she also goes by another moniker, “I’m Super Sparkle!”, which is based on her superhero alter ego.
It is an optimistic name that is well suited for the viral phenomenon on TikTok, whose positive attitude in the face of many life-threatening illnesses has won the hearts of millions of people across the world. Kyla, Bella’s mother, is 40 years old, and she documents the family’s exploits on TikTok under the username @kylact. Kyla asserts that Bella is aware that courage is a superpower. “It is the only thing she has ever been exposed to. She has always been my inspiration and idol. Bella, referring to her alter identity, adds: “She helps people remind themselves that they are perfect just the way they are.”
Bella is around the size of a child of two years old, weighing in just about 30 pounds and standing just a hair under 3 feet tall. Kyla maintains that her kid has never struggled with feelings of insecurity over her looks. According to Bella’s mother, “Bella has had confidence spewing out of her since the day she was born.” “She has never in her whole life struggled with low self-esteem due to the way that she looks. However, due to her little stature, I must be vigilant at all times.
Kyla is aware that people are quick to judge others. “Bella is the one who edits the videos,” the woman explains. “If there is anything that she does not want me to see, she will let me know. She never looks in the mirror and tells me, “Don’t post that because my face is puffy,” because she never does that. It makes no difference to Bella.
In the year that she was born (2013) in the city of Swift Current, in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, Bella was given a diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease, a rare intestinal condition that damages her intestines. In addition to that, she suffers from severe combined immunodeficiency, commonly known as SCID. Since Bella’s birth, she has endured more than 1,000 days in the hospital (her mother Kyla stopped counting about a year ago), almost 30 operations, including a bone marrow transplant in 2015, and four septic shock infections, two of which came dangerously close to taking her life.
Now, Bella must contend with yet another challenging obstacle: she was just put back on the waiting list for a bowel transplant, which her team of specialists and some of the best surgeons in Canada have said is her only chance of surviving a long life. This comes after they had to abandon the procedure in May because it was deemed to be too risky. Kyla adds, “She is aware that once she gets a new bowel, she will be able to eat whatever she wants.” “And she knows that it will mean a new quality of life for her.”
Kyla strives to create joyful memories for her baby on a daily basis and often posts them on TikTok. “Bella’s attitude is, ‘Let’s do it!'” “Let’s make a video today,'” says Kyla, who is also the mother of a boy named Waylon, who is 4 years old. “She believes that people like her personality, and she wants them to be aware of her interests and the things that bring her happiness. She just wants to bring smiles to the faces of other children and adults alike.
It is imperative that the family, which includes the father, Lyle, who is 37 and works in land management in addition to maintaining the family tree farm, take advantage of the remaining weeks of summer by being within WiFi range at all times. “You never know when that call is going to come that they have a bowel that is right for Bella,” Kyla says. “You never know when that call is going to come.”
They have a 30-foot-long trailer that they take with them when they aren’t at home in Saskatchewan, and they use it to travel to see relatives, relax by lakes, and construct sandcastles near the water. Recently, Bella has given off the impression of being significantly bloated, which has caused her fans to express worry. Kyla says, “Everyone has protein in their blood vessels, but when you have a bowel disorder like Bella’s, you lose protein.” Bella’s condition causes her to lose protein. She is now going to a hospital close to us every two weeks to get protein infusions, which take four hours each time.
@kylact After the 3 months Bella just spent in hospital, we are finally coming home today. After bloodwork this morning at SickKids, we hop’d on a flight and we’re almost there. 💪🏻 Let’s make’r a good summer BRAVElings. Things are not much easier for Bella but after we have time to adjust, it’ll get better. 🩷 Bellas transplant teams are still in talks and will reply in the next few weeks to tell us if a bowel transplant is still possible for Bella. 🙏🏻 #bellabrave #fyp #foryoupage #kylact #home #imcominghome #saskatchewan #canada #homesweethome ♬ Coming Home – Diddy – Dirty Money
Bella has the same positive attitude as always. She has said to PEOPLE that Barbie is her role model. “My hero is Barbie,” “We might be twins. Both of us have the blonde hair color. She has said that she has high hopes that their family would expand throughout the summertime. In addition to her three cats, Rodger, Cat Sajak, and Vanna Meow, Bella adds, “I would love a bunny.” A dwarf rabbit, since it’s the same size as me,” she said.
Kyla claims that she and Lyle have not had a conversation with their little daughter about the many outcomes that may go the worst possible way. (The transplant, in the event that it is performed, has an exceedingly high risk.) Kyla adds that since Bella is so upbeat and optimistic all the time, she doesn’t want to instill any fear in her. She is quite mature for her age and is aware of the benefits that may be gained from receiving a gut transplant. She is aware that she will be given the drug to help her sleep. She is still so naive about the struggle for existence. I am holding my breath till I give her something to be afraid of. But Lyle and I are also prepared to respond to any questions she may have.
As for Bella’s personal motto, which she constantly repeats on TikTok and which reads as follows: “Wherever I may go, whatever I may go through, I’m going to bring my bravery, my style, and my fun!”
