COPD Awareness.....

[NuttyB]

Hi All, I was diagnosed last year & was fortunate to go to a Pulmonary Rehab Course, the thing is...at the time I just didn't realise quite how serious COPD actually is & how it can impact your life so am now feel quite guilty that I didn't appreciate the opportunity I had been offered. I plan to beg...on hands & knees if needs be to be given another chance to attend another course.

The course was great, aftercare courses were available, but at a cost... I am a single parent with 2 wonderful sons 16 & 13 & just couldn't afford to go as struggle every day to make ends meet. I know doctors offer sports memberships for overweight clients FOC, so why can't we have some tailored for clients with COPD, PF & all lung related probles, or is that asking too much.

I guess what I am trying to say (badly as usual), is why isn't there more awareness about COPD. I would like to get some wristbands (you know the ones similar to Help for Heroes), but can only find suppliers in the USA. Surely BLF would want to raise the profile of this disabilitating disease/disorder.

For the record, I am 48 (as of this week), never smoked a day in my life & have always tried to lead a healthy active life...although Salsa Dancing Classes are a no no atm

[Hidden]

Hi

We really do try to raise awareness of all lung conditions (it's one of our aims as a charity) - COPD being the most common. We have our Love your lung events to raise awareness of copd - these are generally run in partnerships with local PCT's or Health Boards - but sadly not as many of them are that keen to run the events. Our regional teams work closely with local health services to both promote what the BLF does and also to improve awareness etc.

Also our Press team are constantly trying to get newspapers to feature stories about lung conditions - but sadly we can't make papers do what we want.

Breathe Easy groups do a lot of local awareness raising - and the BLF produces a whole range of publications that are used in lots of hospitals - some GP's - but perhaps there are some gaps.

Our website and this community are also ways of increasing awareness - over half the people contacting the Helpline have found out about us and their condition through our website - and all the discussions and information on this community make a massive difference.

So I promise we are trying to increase awareness of COPD - it's a gradual process.

We did have some red /orange wristbands a couple of years ago - but I think the problem is there are so many of those wrist bands about that unless the condition is already well known e.g. breast cancer and pink, the wrist bands just don't have any effect. Also there are only so many colours, all of which are alreday used by at least one charity.

So not sure if that helps to explain something.

Thanks

Mark

[NuttyB in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mark, I actually do fundraising events for students going on expedition to Kenya for 28 days to get involved is projects with organised by Camps International. I would happily make a display of COPD Leaflets to raise awareness in my own small way. As for the wristbands, as I said they have them in the USA which are a pearlised cream..very different from many that I have seen in the UK..can we get some?

If you want my address to send me display materials, please let me know where to send it.

[Hidden in reply to NuttyB]

If you check your local breathe easy or other breathe easy groups, they may still have stocks of the orange (glow in the dark) wristband, with the word 'Breathe' pressed into band. They are a £1 each. Good luck in tracking some down.

[pedantic]

Hiya Nutty.

I know it has nothing to do with your question,but where was photo taken? i,m intrigued x

[NuttyB in reply to pedantic]

Not a prob pedantic...if you google street artists/optical illusions...there are some amazing scenes.

[pedantic in reply to NuttyB]

cheers nutty gotcha.

[cofdrop-UK]

I feel the difficulty with lack of interest with lung disease is similar to many other chronic diseases - they are not considered the 'sexy' side of medicine and we are in the main 'revolving door' patients. No quick fixes. Just a thought!

XXX

[keefybaby1]

Hi. Im new here. I was diagnosed with COPD 3 years ago and was given flu jab last year. I only ever really got breathless when I ran, walked up hills or was having sex lol. I have had a chest infection all this week and boy did it scare me, I have had soooo much difficulty in breathing and walking. I am 44, and have the dry casules. I am worried now about how bad my chest can get? I have just got a job in a care home and have not told them I have COPD, I am now worried if I catch a cold that its going to effect my working. I have been coughing constantly all week, so hard I have almost been sick, and have had no sleep as when laying down it is much worse. Any advice? Fiona