Bella Thomson, a 10-year-old survivor from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, faces the challenges of three rare medical conditions: dwarfism, Hirschsprung’s disease and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Her mother, Kyla Thomson, has spent almost a decade caring for her and has shared her harrowing journey with more than 7 million followers on TikTok.
In a recent interview with the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), Kyla opened up about Bella’s medical journey. Hirschsprung’s disease, a condition in which certain parts of the large intestine lack nerve cells, has taken a toll on her daughter’s condition. She now works in the media to raise public awareness and support for other families.
Despite the positive message they spread, the Thomsons faced a backlash. Some netizens didn’t like that Kyla posted a viral video of her holding Bella up towards the camera. This prompted defensive responses from notable TikTok personalities such as Jen Hamilton and Ophelia Nichols. In an interview, Kyla expressed her usual reluctance to engage in online negativity, but admitted that this case was particularly distressing.
@kylact My pew pew is laughing 😂 #lol Firing some giggles your way with this hilarious trend.🤣 #bellabrave #fyp #johnnycash #stickemup #cute #funnytrend
♬ The Chicken in Black – Johnny Cash
“I never want to say the same thing because I don’t want to give them the attention they’re looking for,” says Kyla. “They’re just hiding behind their keyboards in the comments section.” She noted that while such incidents are rare, viral content increases visibility.
Instead of turning off the comments like she had done in the past, she decided to respond directly to some of the offensive comments in hopes of educating others about Bella’s illness story. Bella, who weighs less than 30 pounds because of her dwarfism, has spent more than 1,000 days in the hospital, undergone multiple surgeries and survived multiple infections from septic shock. She underwent a life-saving intestinal transplant last year.
Kyla is committed to promoting child organ donation and supporting other families to promote awareness rather than retreat from the online space. Bella, who shows remarkable resilience, often advises her mother to ignore negativity.
Bella’s parents regularly create content for their supporters, whom they affectionately call Bella Bravelings. Kyla emphasized the importance of this community in their lives, saying, “That’s why we’re here. That’s what we show up for. We are constantly focusing on them and we are happy that they support us.” She hopes their followers will continue to promote positivity without retaliating against trolls.
Bella understands the value of a supportive community that encourages her to persevere through adversity. “That’s what she knows and that’s what motivates her as well,” concluded Kyla. The Thomsons’ story shows how important the support of others can be.
All parents dream of a bright future for their children, but Bella’s genetic disorder, which causes her to gradually lose her sight, casts a shadow over their future. While she can still see, her parents decided to show her the wonderful sights of the world.
Supplement:
TikTok star Bella Brave Thomson has died at the age of 10.
10-year-old TikTok star Bella Brave Thomson, who was widely known on social media, has died after suffering from multiple health problems. The sad news was announced by Bella’s mother Kyla Thomson, sharing a heartbreaking message. “Our brave girl left this world in 2024. July 14, 4:19 p.m. evening,” she wrote alongside a video of Bella dancing to ‘Never Enough’ from ‘The Great Showman’ in a flowing gown. Kyla added: ‘Bella passed peacefully in our arms. Please don’t forget her name, keep her memory alive and carry her courage in your hearts. Share with us how she touched your life or inspired you to be braver.”
