Going on holiday can be an upheaval but I still find moments of magic

Sometimes I struggle with going on holiday

I was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis 5 years ago. This has led to the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

I'd gone from being an active outdoorsy person, working as a carer for years to struggling to walk upstairs and wash and dress myself, let alone help anyone else.

I struggle with going on holiday as it’s an upheaval. Once I was the organiser, the practical one who did everything. But my family are all a great help and I’m lucky to have them. 

But once I’m there, my worries disappear

Once I’m on holiday, I calm down a bit. I love nature and the sea. I do get a little sad I can't swim anymore. But I just paddle and that’s better than nothing. I try to focus now on what I can do rather than what used to be.

That day of the photo, sitting on that sea wall in Wales was beautiful. It was like time stood still – I felt very at peace, with Skye next to me. 

I’m still able to find moments of joy

We went back to Newquay this summer but just before, I was prescribed long-term oxygen therapy, which keeps my oxygen levels up for at least 15 hours a day. 

It was a blow at first, but after the initial shock, I got my head round it. I was still able to go paddle boarding, I took my oxygen in my backpack, and my family pulled me and Skye along. 

I saw some dolphins while we were in the water and they gave us a show leaping out of the water. It was magical.

I also recently went to Disneyland Paris to celebrate my daughter’s 30th birthday!