FINALLY IT FEELS LIKE I CAN TAKE A DEEP BREATH

STUDENT Claire Tinsley, who has cystic fibrosis, has a simple, yet eloquent way of describing her wait for drugs that would help her.

‘It felt like I was holding on to a rope, and hoping eventually that someone would pull me up.’

That moment came in October, a week before

Claire’s 26th birthday, when she became one of the first patients in America to receive Trikafta. She said: ‘For the most part of my childhood I was pretty healthy.

‘Having cystic fibrosis was just another fun fact about me.’

But from the age of 16, her health took a turn for the worse.

‘When it’s that bad, it feels like I can’t take a full breath. You’re winded by doing very basic activities, like walking or even doing housework.

‘It’s scary, especially as I know people with cystic fibrosis who have died in their 20s.’

Within four days of taking Trikafta, Claire noticed a difference. Tests show that her lung function has already improved by as astonishing 20 per cent.

‘It’s been life-changing. I feel like I can breathe again.

‘So it’s hard to know there are people out there who aren’t going to benefit right away.

‘It’s three pills, every day. ‘That’s it.

‘Part of me wishes I could share my stash.

‘I just hope, once people see how much of a difference it makes, everyone will get it.’