It’s a condition I’ve lived with all my life - I’ve never known any different

Joey from Wiltshire has lived with severe asthma since she was a child. She’s fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK in memory of her friend, Becky, who sadly passed away from a lung condition in August 2023.

Joey, Asthma + Lung UK supporter
Published 13th February 2025

Severe asthma is a type of difficult asthma that doesn’t respond to the usual treatments and affects around 4% of people with asthma. With severe asthma, more specialist treatments are needed to control symptoms and reduce asthma attacks.

This is a condition I have had to live with all my life, I have never known any different. At the age of 19, I got a job at Magistrates Court which I really loved. But my asthma was a big problem for me at this stage. Shortly after, I sadly had to give up a job that I loved because my asthma was impacting my health too much. I was told I couldn’t work anymore.

That’s when I made the decision to start writing – it was either do something or sit watching daytime telly! I’m now an award-winning author. Since I was 21, I’ve written 48 books, with genres spanning from crime to sci-fi. As well as writing books, I also enjoy reading and I can often be found resting in bed indulging in a good book, along with my cats.

Last April, I wheelchair-walked a marathon in remembrance of my friend, Becky, who had the same lung condition as me. I actually managed to do 60km in the end and raised £347. I wanted to raise money for people like Becky and myself, who have found Asthma + Lung UK a great support and resource while living with a severe lung condition. I connected with Becky through her blog, and she was a great influence for me throughout my degrees.

Taking on an event in memory of a loved one is a really special way to honour their life. If you feel inspired, have a look at our website for ways to fundraise for us in memory. If you need advice and support with your lung condition, you can check out our expert health advice or contact our friendly helpline team.

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