“I hope my kids don’t hate me for this. I want her to be her. Cystic Fibrosis already makes her different, I want her to embrace that part of her.”
Thalia Castillo, Mom and Vintage Culture Enthusiast
Thalia and Jimmy are a couple that's anything but ordinary. Living in LA, they're all about embracing what makes them unique, from their love for vintage culture to navigating the challenges and joys of parenting, especially with their daughter's cystic fibrosis condition.
Thalia's passion for vintage isn't just about fashion; it's about connection to a past that she feels drawn to, even if it's not directly part of her family's history. She says, “I wanted my style to be different. I also just gravitated to the 50s and 40s and 60s. I don't know if it was because I am 1st generation [from an immigrant family] born here. I don't have much history, and I think that's what it was that I was really drawn to. Even though it wasn't my family culture or anything like that, I gravitated to the history behind the clothes. Even just down to the different fabrics. They don't make it like that anymore. So, to me it was just such a unique, different way of styling myself and expressing myself.”
Thalia and Jimmy met in Vegas at a Rockabilly show and instantly connected over their love of vintage culture. Jimmy’s parents and their friends collect classic cars so that was a huge part of his life too. But this “vintage” lifestyle and passion for classic cars is about so much more than a cool aesthetic and fun hobby. It’s about community and family.
“You go to these car shows and it's almost like a big giant family,” Thalia said. “You drive to the car shows and you BBQ or you hang out with your friends, which would become family. You know, if somebody [with a classic car] was stranded on the side of the road, somebody's that has a classic car is going to help you. It's just a really unspoken [rule], everybody has [each other’s back].”
Babywearing is one way Thalia and Jimmy stay close and connected to their kids and they’re grateful for the variety Tula offers for parents like them.
Being “alternative parents” as they put it, Thalia and Jimmy already stand out. “We are considered alternative parents as far how we look. We already feel different and we're not your average parent - we do stand out. If we go to a ballet recital or if we're taking [our son] to a soccer game or whatever, it already feels kind of like, oh, we're kind of the outsiders. So, [Tula] lets us be expressive and to be represented and seen.”
Their daughter's cystic fibrosis diagnosis adds another layer to their family's story. Thalia and Jimmy are determined to help her embrace her differences and lead a life defined by her interests and passions, not just her condition. Taking their love of this alternative, vintage culture, they translate this into their parenting as they seek to celebrate being unique and different. “Our daughter, she’s born with cystic fibrosis and that's already going to make her different. So [we want to help her] embrace that part of her. Our number one goal with her, because I know she's going to have that as she gets older, is she's going to feel different from everybody else because she does have to do different things daily, even from her brother. So [we want to make] it normal. I hope that she finds her. I mean, I don't want to, like, shove [vintage culture] down her throat either. I want her to find her,” Thalia shares.
The Quaintance family's story is one of embracing uniqueness, building community, and supporting each other through every challenge and joy. Their journey is a testament to the power of love, the strength of family, and the beauty of living a life true to oneself.
If you’re a parent with a child who has cystic fibrosis, here is what Thalia has to say:
“First rule to my new cystic fibrosis (CF) parents: NEVER ever Google CF. Google is out dated. All factual up-to-date information is going to come directly from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. All the hospitals with CF teams follow a protocol made by the foundation (in the US), keeping us updated with the newest research and trials, sources for financial aid for families, and learning about your local chapters that can help you connect with other families.”
Because this disease is classified as “rare”, it is not funded by the government in any way so all the research, medication, and aid come from private funding. In support of The Quaintance family, Tula has donated $1,000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
If you’re looking for a way to support families with Cystic Fibrosis, here are a few options:
Miles for Cystic Fibrosis (M4CF): “It’s so vital for all people living with cystic fibrosis to stay on top of their health and stay as active as possible to help strengthen and clear their lungs. This charity has helped families like us and adults receive grants to go towards any type of exercise program or equipment to help keep our ‘cfers’ active!”
Healthwell Foundation: “[This foundation] has helped sooooo many families and adults with yearly financial assistance when it comes to getting special vitamins, medications, and supplements that cost thousands and thousands of dollars a month (that unfortunately insurance doesn’t cover or hardly does).”
