Dukinfield girl breathes easy thanks to asthma support

Eight-year-old Ellie-May Pickett from Dukinfield can now enjoy PE lessons and after-school clubs – something that once felt impossible because of her asthma.

Ellie-May’s mum, Emma, remembers the challenges her daughter faced from an early age. “She was in and out of hospital needing oxygen for chest infections before she was even a year old,” she said. “They started her on inhalers when she was around 11 months. Doctors couldn’t officially diagnose her until she was five, but they told us she had all the signs.”

Ellie-May’s story is being shared as part of Ask About Asthma Week (8–14 September), which is backed by Tameside Council to raise awareness and improve support for people living with the condition.

There are nearly 17,000 people in Tameside living with asthma, and last year alone there were 230 hospital admissions for under-19s due to the illness.

Emma explained how difficult things became before Ellie-May’s treatment was brought under control. “She used to struggle to breathe, couldn’t speak properly, and was constantly tired,” she said. “Now, she hardly ever shows symptoms. She might still struggle a little in extreme weather, but it’s nothing like it used to be. I’m so grateful to have had the support of Ellie-May’s Nanna along the way, it’s made a real difference.”

Ellie-May was referred to a specialist at Tameside Hospital at just three years old. Although she was too young for formal testing, doctors were able to treat her probable asthma with the right medication. Over the years, her treatment plan has been reviewed and adjusted to ensure she is on the best inhalers to control her symptoms. Thanks to this, Ellie-May now enjoys a much more active lifestyle.

Cllr Tafheen Sharif, Tameside Council Executive Member for Population Health and Wellbeing, said:
“Ellie-May’s story shows how vital it is to get the right support and treatment for asthma. We want every child in Tameside to have the chance to live a full and active life, and we’re proud to support initiatives like Ask About Asthma Week.”

People with asthma, and parents and carers of children with asthma, are being encouraged to take simple steps to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of attacks. These include:

• Having a written asthma action plan.

• Using inhalers correctly.

• Booking an annual asthma review, and following up after every attack.

• Considering indoor and outdoor air quality, as environmental triggers can play a role.

If you or your child are struggling with asthma, don’t wait – speak to your GP or asthma nurse and make sure you have a personalised asthma action plan in place.