I'm so grateful for the helpline
Michael was diagnosed with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) 7 years ago. He explains why access to the BLF helpline is so important for anyone with a lung condition.
I was told I had COPD when I was 38. I didn’t know much about the condition, I was in denial. It was a really hard time in my life.
No one I knew really understood what it was like to live with COPD. Some days I was completely fine, then other days I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even leave the house at times. I ended up having to quit my job. I’d been a chef since I was 18, but the constant change of hot and cold temperatures set off my condition. My friends are really supportive but they don’t really understand. I just don’t want to bother them with all my problems.
Last year I went to a Love your Lungs event that’s run by the BLF. That’s where I met Carol. She told me all about the BLF Helpline. I’ve been in touch with her ever since.
She understands what I’m going through and she wants to help me. I know that I can give her a call and she’ll be there to listen. She’s helped me get my welfare benefits sorted and has even sorted out a COPD medical alert bracelet for me. If it wasn’t for the British Lung Foundation, I’d be lost by now. They’ve helped me cope with everything life’s thrown at me.
With the support and help from the helpline, I’ve been able to turn my life around. I’ve stopped smoking, I’m attending pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and I’m looking forward to joining my local Breath Easy group. If it wasn’t for Carol, I would still be suffering in silence.
I know that I can rely on the helpline. All I’ve got to do is pick up the phone and tell them how I’m feeling. Or if I just need to chat, I know the Helpline will be there to listen.
Please do your bit this Christmas and help raise £30,000 so they can support more people like me. With your help, there will be more wonderful people like Carol on the helpline. And you'll be making a big difference to people's lives.
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