The kindness of strangers was the most humbling thing

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 18 years old. It was always well controlled, but this changed after I had COVID.

It was reassuring that there were others with the same condition

I was having more asthma attacks and getting more breathless. I couldn’t walk up my own stairs and struggled to walk to my local village shop. I decided to visit my GP, who referred me to a respiratory specialist. After several tests, I was diagnosed with eosinophilic asthma which is caused by high levels of blood cells called eosinophils in the airways. These blood cells cause inflammation. 

When I was diagnosed, I came across Asthma + Lung UK’s website. It was reassuring to know that there were others with the same condition.

Biologics helped me get more active again

Before my asthma symptoms got worse, I was very active and would swim a mile every day in the sea. I also took part in international sailing competitions, which I had to stop doing when my asthma symptoms got bad.

I was able to find a great free bike from a rehabilitation organisation called Freetrike Disability Cycling which helps people get outside. After a two-year wait, I got ‘Bob’, my e-trike. During that time, I was also lucky enough to start taking biologics to help control my asthma. The medication has made me feel so much better, so I decided to do a cycling challenge.

I achieved everything I wanted

I decided to cycle from Corfe Castle to Land’s End, north to Orkney, and end 50 days later at Boston, Lincolnshire. I completed a total distance of over 2,000 km.

The challenge was brilliant - I achieved everything I wanted to and raised over £2,500 for Asthma + Lung UK! I’m hoping to do another challenge soon as I really enjoyed it and met so many generous people along the way.