Living with asthma for 50 years has brought with it a life of ups and downs – a journey of resilience, challenges, and ultimately, hope. From a young age, asthma was a dominant part of my life. I spent much of my childhood and teenage years in and out of hospital, frequently relying on ambulances and missing school due to poor health. Those early years were tough.
But things began to change in my late teens. I received specialist care that truly transformed my asthma management. I was introduced to biologic treatments, including one that had a huge impact on my quality of life. With improved control, I was finally able to return to the things I loved – I got back into sport, found joy in swimming, and joined a hiking club. For the first time, I could participate in life more fully.
Despite this progress, I still struggled with frequent infections that required repeated courses of oral steroids – something many asthma patients can relate to. As a primary school teacher working with young children, I was regularly exposed to colds and flus, and any infection could linger for weeks. Over time, the constant use of steroids began to take a toll.
In my 40s, my eczema became worse, leading me to start on a different biologic treatment. Amazingly, this helped my asthma too. My breathing became the best it had ever been. I felt full of energy. I took up parkrun, swam five or six times a week, walked everywhere – I was thriving.
Then, everything changed again. I was diagnosed with secondary Addison’s disease. Suddenly, I was exhausted all the time. Life ground to a halt. It was a difficult period.
Thankfully, with expert care and a dedicated endocrinologist, I’m slowly getting back to the activities I love. I’m not at full capacity yet, but I’ve returned to parkrun, swimming, and hiking. I’m finding my way back.
Today, my asthma is well managed on two biologics, my skin is excellent, and I’m learning to live well with Addison’s. I’m proud of how far I’ve come. It hasn’t been easy, but I want people to know: there is hope. With the right support and treatments, better days are possible.
The support I’ve received from the Asthma Society of Ireland has been invaluable. The asthma nurse line, especially, has been a lifeline – with regular check-ins and practical advice that helped me feel less alone in managing my condition.
I’ve done advocacy work before, and I’m sharing my story now to raise awareness – not just about asthma itself, but about the lifelong journey it can be. I hope it helps someone else feel seen, and reminds them that they are not alone.