Voluntary group called to help patients exercise

By Maurice Garvey

A VOLUNTARY support group, which helps people suffering from chronic bronchitis and emphysema, has been asked to facilitate patients from Peamount Hospital.

The COPD group – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – hosts exercise classes at Liffey Gaels GAA Club every Tuesday.

Maria Ritchie, a COPD sufferer from Ballyfermot, runs the Liffey Gaels group with her son, and says they are more than happy to help patients when they leave any hospital.

She is trying to raise awareness of the class toassist fellow sufferers, but says they struggle with a lack of funding for the condition, which results in shortness of breath.

Maria said: “Peamount gave us a call, asking us if we would take people for the exercise class. We would also be happy to take people from St James Hospital if they referred them. As soon as people are finished their medication in hospital they are sent home. Some sit down and feel sorry for themselves, or they are frightened, but you have to get up off your a**e.

“I had my last test on July 4 and I haven’t got worse. A little bit of exercise can only do good. Professor Tim O’Donnell, from St Vincents, is a big supporter of this. In Ireland you have over 400,000 people with COPD.”

Marie is also involved with a support group, which meets up every two months in Ballyfermot Library.

She continued: “We try to get in as much people as we can, to give advice on finance, exercise, and other supports. The nearest group was in Bray, so COPD Ireland asked me if I would set one up locally.

“We looked around and it was very expensive, but Liffey Gaels were very good to let us use their hall. We have to charge a small amount to keep it going – €20 a month or €100 for 12 classes.

“Another difficulty for members is lack of access to a medical card due to HSE criteria which hasn’t been changed since 1970. I’m lucky to have one, but my medical bills are €340 per month.”

Anyone interested in joining the COPD exercise class, can pop by Liffey Gaels GAA Club each Tuesday before 11am. For further information visit copd.ie