I’m running the for Asthma + Lung UK!
I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 2 but had my lovely night time cough since about 6 months old. Growing up with what is now called severe asthma was tough, I was unable to run around like my peers or constantly attached to my trusty nebuliser - I was constantly told, this medication should be working. Reality is that severe asthma is really difficult to control and my frequent admissions to North Devon District Hospital showed that. My asthma had a huge impact on my childhood and early adulthood from missed school trips, absences from school affecting my grades to even having a social life as I was so exhausted all of the time.
With the invention of biologic treatments, my hopes were raised that I would finally get the control to allow me to live a normal life. However, the expense meant it was tightly controlled and not once, not twice but on 5 occasions did my team try to access these therapies for me with no success. It was only this year, 16 years after the first discussion have I been granted funding and started on a biologic. It has been revolutionary- I’ve gone from needing my nebuliser 4 times a day this year to not even needing my blue inhaler, having a normal colour and being able to walk/talk etc without sounding like I’m going to pass out.
It is because of charities such as Asthma & Lung UK that access is widening, research is being funded and real progress is being made. I am eternally grateful, not just for this but all of the support they’ve given me all the way back to Desmond Dragon (IYKYK).
May marks 1 year on my treatment and I want to celebrate with a BIG bang so I’m going to learn to run and am taking part in the Edinburgh 10K to raise funds. I’m aiming for £150 but would love to smash it for this amazing charity. Any donation would be amazing or a share of my page. Will keep this bog updated with my progress as my lungs and I get stronger and stronger.
#TeamBreathe
