SUPPORTGROUPMEMBERS LEARNTOCOPEWITHCOPD
NOW retired, Janet O’Leary’s career was in costume design in both film and theatre.
While she suffers from chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD), she is a very determined lady who takes every step possible to stay healthy, including being a part of Bray COPD group.
Perhaps more commonly known as bronchitis or emphysema, COPD is a chronic lung condition whose primary symptoms are breathlessness, persistent cough and regular chest infections.
‘I’m a great believer in exercise,’ said Janet. ‘I’m over 80 and I’m still going strong and I still live on my own.
‘Sitting down chatting, you wouldn’t realise there was anything wrong with me,’ said Janet, who seems younger than those eighty years despite struggles with breathing.
‘I know it’s going to progress, I know it’s going to get me in the end,’ she said, ‘ but you just fight it.’
COPD Ireland has announced a new 12-week programme. The primary symptoms of the lung condition are breathlessness, persistent cough and regular chest infections.
The programme is designed to support self-care, reduce flare-ups and hospitalisations in people with COPD, with a particular focus on issues such as smoking cessation, nutrition and inhaler advice. Exercise is a key aspect of treatment for patients with obvious physical health benefits such as increased muscle strength, agility, flexibility and aerobic endurance, in addition to the social and mental health benefits. The programme also helps to slow progression of the disease which will, in turn, lead to fewer GP and hospital visits.
Janet gave up smoking about 20 years ago, yet was diagnosed with the disease in 2007.
At the time she was experiencing frequent breathlessness and occasional coughing. Over the years since her diagnosis, Janet has been placed on var- ious medications including inhalers, steroids, and antibiotics, and she also uses oxygen.
She has benefited from a pulmonary rehabilitation exercise programme at St Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
A few years ago Janet joined the Bray COPD Support Group and really enjoys going along every week and taking part in the group exercises that are organised and catching up with people socially.
Janet has also moved into a bungalow, beautifully designed of course, by a woman with a wonderful eye.
It means she no longer has to worry about climbing the stairs in her previous home which would cause her to get breathless, and she is now within walking distance of a range of amenities too.
‘I used to really enjoy walking and swimming but now I’m not as active as I was. I now have to allow ‘self time for everything,’ she said. ‘But I’ve learned to live with it and would encourage others to do the same. My aim is to live as full a life as possible, for as long as possible, and would encourage others to do the same.’
She makes time to enjoy a number of hobbies, not least reading, with shelves lined with books in her bungalow, a sewing bag by her chair, and an impressive little garden - com- plete with several bird-feeders. She also enjoys going for a meal with friends.
Her very clear message when it comes to COPD is ‘fight it!’. While it can’t be cured, the exercises can help slow or halt its progress and keep a person active and otherwise healthy.
Janet’s husband Anthony sadly passed away in 2015, and she has two adult daughters.
She spoke about the eight week course in Dun Laoghaire, where she began to learn about diet, exercise and breathing techniques twice a week. ‘While I was there, a lady called Betty Sutton, who was Bray-based, came around to do a lecture,’ said Janet. Betty has since passed away. ‘She had done the same course, then she started her own group in Bray, so I went. I started there in 2007.’
That takes place in Ballywaltrim Community Centre on Mondays and Fridays, between 12 midday and 1 p.m.
‘We have people from as far