Local News
25th October 2018
Issue 1032
www.looklocal.org.uk
Call 0114 283 11 00
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Hillsborough grandmother in bid to raise awareness of rare disease A HILLSBOROUGH grandmother living with a rare heart and lung disease is backing a national awareness week to help people understand the condition. Pam Ellis, 62, was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) three years ago. The serious disease, which affects just 7000 people in the UK, causes high pressure in the blood vessels connecting the heart and lungs. PH Awareness Week 2018 takes place from October 2229 and has been organised by Sheffield-based charity the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA UK), who work nationally to support those affected by the lifeshortening condition. Pam, who has three grandchildren, said: “Having PH affects me in all sorts of ways physically. I get breathless just trying to get dressed and even making a cup of tea or washing the pots can be difficult, which are all things that most people take for granted. It also affects me mentally and emotionally all of the time. I’ve lost a lot of confidence. “PH is an invisible illness and people don’t see the struggle that goes on inside. Having pulmonary hypertension is frustrating, debilitating and
Falling for it: the Peak District National Park in autumn MAKE the most of nature’s spectacular colours in the Peak District National Park this autumn. The season’s cooler temperatures are perfect for cycling and walking, making autumn a great time to explore the UK’s original National Park. Family friendly two and threewheeled adventures on trafficfree trails are a great way to discover the National Park at this less busy time of year. Helen Bower, visitor operations manager for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “It doesn’t matter if you’ve not ridden a bicycle for years, or how old you are, or how fit you are, we’ve got tandems, trikes, powered bikes, wheelchair bikes, hand crank bikes – there really is something for everyone whatever your age or ability.” Choose from a great range of bikes for all ages and abilities from cycle hire centres at Parsley Hay, Derwent or Ashbourne. Full details at www.peakdistrict. gov.uk/visiting/cycle. Helen added: “My top tip for this time of year is to visit Parsley Hay, near Hartington, which gives access to the Tissington and High Peak trails. We’re open
every day so pick a sunny day and you’ll find there’s no finer place to ride and experience the wide open views of the White Peak landscape.” Parsley Hay, Derwent and Ashbourne cycle hire centres are open every day, including during the October half term holidays. Check the website for winter opening times www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle. Peak District National Park ranger-guided walks showcase the very best of the National Park at this time of year. • Explore the Enchanted Forest (Sunday October 28) on a walk from Danebridge and discover a wealth of spooky tales, myths and legends amongst the trees and rocks. • Experience the Ashford Autumn Adventure (Sunday November 4) with a 6.5-mile walk around the village of Ashfordin-the-Water, Monsal Head and Monsal Dale. • Scale the heights of the Peak District ‘Matterhorn’ – Shutlingsloe – one of the highest peaks (Saturday November 24) on a 6-mile walk and enjoy panoramic views over the Macclesfield Forest and Cheshire Plains.
Visit www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ events for a full list of upcoming ranger events and to book your place. Spectacular views offer opportunities for stunning photographs – here are three places with great photogenic potential: • Derwent reservoirs – woodland and moorland with far-reaching views across the reservoirs. West of Sheffield. • Manifold Valley – discover an area that feels ‘off the beaten track’, enjoy the family-friendly cycle track and magnificent limestone dales and Thor’s Cave. Parking at Hulme End, between Hartington and Warslow. • Tissington Trail – wide-sweeping views of rolling countryside, peaks and dales from this trafficfree trail. Park at Parsley Hay, near Hartington. Share pictures of your autumn adventure in the Peak District National Park on Twitter @ peakdistrict, Facebook or Instagram /peakdistrictnationalpark. And, even if the weather’s bad there is always a warm welcome at the National Park visitor centres in Bakewell, Castleton, Derwent (Fairholmes) and Edale.
scary and it’s really important that it’s understood by more people.”
tell other people too because they didn’t know what it was either.
Symptoms of PH include severe breathlessness, fatigue, blackouts and swelling around the ankles, arms and stomach. There is no cure.
“PH has really limited what I can do, both physically and mentally, and it’s really unpredictable. The hardest thing for me is the frustration of feeling I can’t do what I should be able to do at this age. But friends, family and my beautiful grandchildren keep me going and I try and stay positive for them.”
A recent survey by the PHA UK found 60 per cent of patients feel PH has had a ‘major impact’ on their quality of life and almost 90 per cent said it has impacted their mental and emotional wellbeing. Iain Armstrong, chair of the PHA UK, which is based in Chapeltown, said: “Many hear the word ‘hypertension’ and immediately assume it is high blood pressure, but PH is an extremely serious, devastating condition that has a huge impact on people’s lives. You can’t tell someone has PH just by looking at them, and our members tell us they are often frustrated by people not understanding how ill they are – which is why encouraging people to talk about the disease during this awareness week is so vital.” Pam receives treatment at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, one of just nine specialist PH treatment centres in the UK. She added: “Being diagnosed with PH felt like a bombshell. I had never heard of it and I felt lost. It was difficult to
To encourage understanding of the disease, the PHA UK is calling on people affected by pulmonary hypertension to talk to family, friends and colleagues during PH Awareness Week. The charity is also supporting a 200-mile awareness-raising cycle challenge, which takes place from Wednesday 24 Friday 26 October. The group of medical professionals, riding under the name of Team PHenomenal Hope, will set off from the PHA UK headquarters in Chapeltown and finish in London, visiting Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge along the way. To find out more about pulmonary hypertension or get involved with PH Awareness Week visit www.phauk.org. Search #PHWeek18 and #LetsTalkPH on social media.
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