I’m training to be a nurse inspired by the care I received for my asthma

Paul, 47, from Beith near Glasgow spent decades having severe asthma attacks. Now he’s running marathons thanks to the advice and support he received from his asthma nurses. Here he tells his story.

Paul A+LUK Supporter
Published 11th May 2022

Fighting for breath is an absolutely terrifying feeling, but it’s no exaggeration to say that throughout my teens, 20s and 30s, being keeled over gasping for breath became my normality.

My asthma was totally out of control – I felt myself reaching for my reliever inhaler every day desperately trying to manage my wheezy chest and shortness of breath. But things just kept getting worse. I ended up in hospital 48 times because of my asthma and even had to be resuscitated on 25 occasions.

My life changed forever when I met with my asthma nurse

Things had gotten so bad with my condition that I couldn’t even push my baby son in his pram without getting out of breath. I knew I couldn’t go on like this, so I booked an appointment with my asthma nurse for a medication review. There they told me the way I was using my inhaler meant only 10-20% of the medicine was getting into my lungs. They showed me the correct inhaler technique and gave me a spacer – tubes that fit over my inhaler – to use to help me take my medicine more efficiently.

Man sweating and smiling in a gym setting with weights and exercise mats in the background

The difference this one appointment has made to my asthma is incredible.

I spent years of my life having and recovering from rampant asthma attacks – now I’m feeling fitter than ever and even running marathons. I just wouldn’t have thought this was possible before.

Why I want to be a nurse

The advice I got from that nurse, and all the other nurses that supported me through my attacks, saved my life. I left school with no qualifications because my asthma meant I had very poor attendance, but now I’m back in good health I’ve felt inspired by the care I received and now want to become a nurse myself.

Man wearing a blue hoodie and glasses, smiling alongside a woman with vibrant red hair and glasses, both enjoying a sunny day on a pebbled beach with houses and hills in the background

Over the past few years I’ve been doing my school exams through distance learning and will be starting my nursing course at the University of the West of Scotland in September. I hope my own experiences with a chronic lung condition will help me to empathise with my patients and to be the best nurse I can be.

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