Social distancing is nothing new for people with CF
WHILE the entire world is trying to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic and adapt to self-isolation and social distancing, for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis having to be wary of viruses and bugs is nothing new.
Joseph Lawlor, from Enniscorthy is one such person and, as he pointed out to this newspaper, social distancing is something that people with CF have to do anyway.
People with CF can have a low immune system and they are also affected by respiratory conditions and Joseph said viruses are something they have to wary of.
‘If you have an underlying condition then obviously it makes it harder for a person to recover, if they recover properly, so with something like this [virus] you have to be careful,’ said Joseph, who works with the Tracie Lawlor Trust to provide support for people affected by CF.
‘ To be honest CFs are careful anyway and for us the more concerning thing is how other people will take precautions because we always have to,’ he added.
Recommendations about things like washing hands are also nothing new for him and other people with the illness.
‘ That’s how we wash our hands anyway and proper washing of hands is even more important than people wearing gloves,’ he said.
‘Wearing gloves is fine but people then discard them and that’s where washing hands is so important.’
‘We take precautions anyway so that part is nothing new to us and but it’s a different thing for other people to get used to,’ he said.
Ordinarily, people like Joseph have to be cautious during the traditional ‘flu and cold season’ and as he said himself: ‘We do social distancing anyway but this [virus] is on top of that.’
He said it’s the responsibility of everyone to ‘do the right thing’ to keep everyone safe.
‘If everyone does the right thing we will all get out of this faster.’
Joseph is also critical of people who dismissed the virus as ‘just another flu’.
‘I suppose people who said that need to think to themselves: do they want to make their grandmother or grandfather sick or someone else they know who is vulnerable?’ he said.
‘If you do feel tired, just stay indoors for that day and it will likely be nothing, just be responsible,’ he said.
‘When people are exercising or if they have to meet someone just make sure to keep distance.’
With regard to self-isolating, Joseph said spending time at home is more advantageous than spending time in hospital: ‘Usually, we have to spend time in a hospital room but at least here you’re at home.’
The Tracie Lawlor Trust (TLT) is named after his Joseph’s late sister and works to raise awareness and provide support to people affected by the illness.
National Cystic Fibrosis Week began last Friday, which was also 65 Roses Day, and while the week usually begins with the National Conference, obviously, that didn’t happen this year.
For the trust, things have changed as a result of the pandemic.
‘Obviously, now all the fundraising is being done virtually because we can’t organise or get to events but we are more used to doing things online in some ways because CFs can’t hang around or gather in large crowds too much anyway,’ said Joseph.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t
CFs ARE CAREFUL ANYWAY... THE MORE CONCERNING THING IS HOW OTHER PEOPLE WILL TAKE PRECAUTIONS
challenges: ‘We try to push people towards technology but not everyone has access.’
People with CF often use complimentary medicine and Joseph said there is a lot of information on the TLT website and blog.
‘It can empower people to make choices and some people like Tai Chi and other people like taking up yoga and find it helps.’
The Tracy Lawlor Trust, which is run by a team of volunteers, enlists the help of leading professionals to give advice to people who look to the organisation for support and help.
Joseph said it’s important that people educate themselves because it’s only by having the right information that people can make informed choices.
Such is the level of success of the trust that its website usually receives around 280 unique hits every day.
‘We have people visiting the site from all over Ireland and also from places like the UK and America,’ said Joseph.
The Trust began in 2008 and was developed by Joseph’s brother, Brian, after their mother came up with the idea.
‘At the time there was no CF facility in Wexford and the idea [for the trust] came from mam,’ said Joseph.
The volunteers who run the organisation don’t take a wage or salary and that means that any money raised goes exactly where it should.
Anyone interested in supporting the Tracie Lawlor Trust to help it continue its vital service can do so by donating €4 go the organisation by texting TLT4CF to 50300 and all support is greatly appreciated.