Aiden’s passion for swimming was undeniable, but breathing difficulties made it hard for him to keep pace with his teammates, and his dreams of becoming an elite swimmer seemed just out of reach — until lung function testing and support from Respiratory Care WA changed everything.
Aiden has always loved swimming, constantly pushing himself to achieve his best in every competition. However, during a training session, he noticed something wasn’t right— he was struggling to breathe and had to frequently stop to catch his breath.
“I had to stop at the wall during training. I was out of breath, and my teammates were overlapping me,” says Aiden.
Concerned, Aiden’s family visited their GP, who referred them to Respiratory Care WA’s Children’s Hub for further evaluation and support.
“Our first appointment with Jess at Respiratory Care WA was fantastic,” says Aiden’s mum, Renee. “She used models to show us how asthma affects the lungs and how Ventolin helps. It made a world of difference for us to really understand what was happening.”
”Jess used models to show us how asthma affects the lungs and how Ventolin helps. It made a world of difference for us to really understand what was happening." - Renee
Aiden also underwent a Lung Function Test — a simple, non-invasive procedure that allowed specialists to measure how well his lungs were working. The results provided crucial insights and helped create a personalised treatment plan tailored to his needs.
A clear diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan
Jess, Clinical Lead of Children’s Respiratory Services at Respiratory Care WA, explains that managing asthma symptoms is vital for children’s health and development.
“Children with well-controlled asthma can live healthy and active lives and should be able to participate in all forms of sport and play. However, children with poorly controlled asthma will experience limitations due to constriction and swelling in their airways,” says Jess.
“At Respiratory Care WA, we support families with accurate diagnosis, education and ongoing care — helping them manage symptoms with confidence and live active, fulfilling lives”
With a clear diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan, Aiden’s asthma is now under control. His cough disappeared, and he’s back in the pool, swimming more than five kilometres a day, six days a week, and competing at a high level. Recently, he recorded a 50-metre freestyle time of under 30 seconds, placing him among the top eight swimmers in his age group in the state.
With his sights set on qualifying for the National Training Program in Queensland by the end of 2025, Aiden is more motivated than ever.
“Since our visit to Respiratory Care WA, Aiden has become more confident in both his training and races,” says Renee. “He knows exactly what steps to take before and after each session to stay on top of his asthma.”
Renee is certain that without the right medication and ongoing support, Aiden wouldn’t be performing at the level he is today.
