So we have talked about my conditions, now let’s look at the main one in detail. My parents Maureen and Tony were carriers of the CF gene and had a son called Laurence 48 years ago. The kid never made it home and died as a baby, at 9 months old. They put this down to TB, but looking back we all know it was CF. Then Maria was diagnosed but turned out it was a mis- diagnosis. She now is as healthy as a bee and has 2 lovely kids. My mam and dad then got involved with CFAI and supported families with CF kids. This included support and fundraising. They did this for years and Dad became chair person. They were the main people involved to get Doctor O’Kane to the children’s ward in Castlebar.  They played a pivotal role in services that PWCF take for granted. Both my parents, and Dr.O’Kane fought for, and won, the CF rooms in the Paediatric ward in Mayo General Hospital.  Mam died when I was 7 from Multiple Myeloma (Bone Cancer). I honestly would have loved to know how life would have been with this inspiration and positive woman, but she has sent us an absolute angel and lovely woman called Olive.

So as a child I didn’t spend much time in hospital. My first time was when I was 8. I had severe cramps. I was admitted and Martina had to stay with me as I was terrified. Little did I know I would nearly live here. So it was just constipation, sorted in 24 hours. As a child my lung capacity was about 80%. My weight was always a problem. The following day a man called Dr. Michael O Neill walked into the room. The best consultant I have ever encountered and I have met a few. That stay I was introduced to what my life would involve. Physio, clinics, tablets, protein shakes and nebulisers. There are only 3 times I have cried in my life. This was one of them. Mams funeral was another and the 3rd will come later but that is fully explainable. So I was about 8 when I realised I was sick but still didn’t realise how chronic it was. That’s the truth.  My best of friends firmly believed I had asthma and I would grow out of it. That was a huge problem in them days but thanks to campaigners like my family, and sports people like Joe Brolly, and PWCF like  Nathan Charles, we are now in a position  where we have awareness and education. To be completely honest it’s hard to tell an 8 year old he has a chronic life threatening disease.  How do parents deal with that shit. Support for this is key and the main reason I’m doing this blog. If I knew then about the pain and torture CF would bring me, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be alive today. That concludes my young years.