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 as Sophie’s skills developed, so did the intensity. “She hadn’t needed to push herself to her full potential until recently,” Deanne said. That’s when we started to notice something wasn’t quite right. She’d get puffed out quickly and really struggle to recover.”
Then came the sleepless nights. Sophie began waking up with a tight chest, short of breath, and found it difficult to settle back to sleep. Concerned, Deanne took her to their GP suspecting cold-induced asthma. Sophie was prescribed Ventolin and a preventer to manage symptoms over winter, but things didn’t improve.
“Sophie couldn’t get through a training session without stopping two or three times to take Ventolin,” said Deanne. “That’s when we knew – this wasn’t just seasonal.”
A closer look at lung health
Sophie’s GP referred them to Respiratory Care WA’s Children’s Respiratory Hub for a deeper look at Sophie’s lung health and assessment.
At the Cockburn clinic Sophie underwent lung function testing and was seen by Paediatric Respiratory Specialist, Dr Stephen Oo.
“The results were eye-opening,” said Deanne. “We learned that Sophie’s asthma was more complex than we had thought. We immediately received a personalised Asthma Action Plan, and it instantly made a huge difference.”
At the Hub, they also discovered more about Sophie’s individual triggers and were recommended a new medication to trial.
“Having the right preventer and reliever – one that actually suited Sophie’s condition was a game-changer,” said Deanne. “Even learning how to use her spacer correctly made a big difference. It gave us confidence.”
Back on track and racing forward
Even a bout of flu couldn’t keep Sophie off the track for long. With her asthma under control, she not only returned to training – she qualified for Nationals in Adelaide.
Competing in cold, windy conditions against girls up to three years older, Sophie made it to the finals – her first big leap into senior-level racing.
“I took my Ventolin and warmed up properly – I felt ready,” Sophie said with a smile.
Advice for other families
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Building a new routine, remembering medication twice a day, and adjusting to new habits takes effort.
“But the payoff has been worth it,” said Deanne. “Sophie is breathing easier and doing what she loves.”
Their advice to other families? Don’t let asthma define what your child can do.
”With the right diagnosis, treatment plan, and support, kids with asthma can absolutely take on high-intensity sports such as BMX and achieve big dreams,” said Deanne.
“Sophie’s races last under 37 seconds, but they demand everything she’s got. Now she can breathe through every second and cross that finish line strong. Her next big goal is competing at the World Championships in Brisbane next year.”
“We’re just so thankful we were able to access a thorough assessment and diagnosis at the Children’s Respiratory Hub. It’s made all the difference and Sophie’s back doing what she loves and living her best life,” said Deanne.
