People Stories
Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) impact the lives of so many Western Australians.
Even if you don’t personally live with these conditions, there’s a good chance that you know someone who does.
In this section of our website, you’ll find real, personal stories from our patients and their family, friends, carers, teachers and coaches. You’ll also find stories from Respiratory Care WA’s team of Respiratory Health experts.
If you would like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Respiratory Care WA.
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PayPay, Charlotte, Lorelei and Harrison’s Story
For years, our family felt like we were simply surviving — PayPay (mum to Charlotte, Lorelei and Harrison) Every winter brought weeks of coughing, sleepless nights and constant worry. We cancelled birthday parties, changed family plans and often kept the kids home from school. They missed valuable time learning, being with their friends and enjoying…
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Oliver and Melanie’s Story
By the age of four, Oliver had already been admitted to hospital several times with breathing difficulties. He was diagnosed with viral-induced wheeze, and we were told asthma would likely become part of his future. — Melanie (mum to Oliver) As parents, it was a worrying time. Oliver had already been diagnosed with several severe…
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Corrine, Maddie and Kayden’s Story
For years, I thought what my children were experiencing was just something we had to live with. — Corrine (mum to Oliver and Kayden) Our family is Ballardong Noongar, living on Wadjuk Noongar Boodja, raising our three children. My seven-year-old daughter Maddie started getting sick when she was only six months old. She was constantly…
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Phil’s story
Like many young people, I once believed I was invincible. Although my career has largely been office-based, with only brief periods of part-time demolition work, my lung health was being affected in ways I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. I started smoking at the age of 16 and what I didn’t realise then was…
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Anthony’s story
Two years ago, my life slowly began to change, though I didn’t realise it at first. It started with a cough I just couldn’t shake. I was still active, still fit, still pushing myself, so I didn’t think much of it. But over time, that cough became constant. I developed post-nasal drip, started coughing up…
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Geoffrey’s story
Geoffrey (73), a proud Noongar Man, has lived with asthma since childhood and now manages emphysema, a chronic lung condition that makes breathing challenging. With support from Respiratory Care WA and Arche Health, he’s learning new ways to manage his breathing and stay active in his community. Growing up, Geoffrey was diagnosed with mild asthma…
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Sophie’s story
Thirteen-year-old Sophie is a rising star in BMX – fast, fearless, and determined on the track. But not long ago, keeping up with training wasn’t just tough – it was exhausting. Breathing felt harder than racing. Sophie’s mum, Deanne, remembers a time when BMX was about learning the basics – start lines, turns stops. But…
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Aiden’s story
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…
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Joe’s story
By his first birthday, Joe had already faced serious breathing challenges, requiring four rounds of steroid treatment. Yet it wasn’t until he turned six, that he finally received the proper diagnosis and support he needed to truly thrive. Joe’s mother, Tammie, vividly recalls the challenges Joe and the family faced during those early years. Sleep…
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Noah’s story
Asthma is often linked to flare-ups — coughing, wheezing, and gasping for air — but it can also be a silent illness, striking unexpectedly. This was the case for Shae and her six-year-old son Noah. In October 2023, Shae returned home from work to find her son, Noah, sniffling, sneezing, and battling a persistent cough.…
