I have a dream...

My name is Chantelle and I am creating this page to hopefully be able to follow my dream of becoming a photographer.

My life was flipped upside on 2 Febuary 2017 when I was rushed in to North Shore hospital with extreme flu symptoms and chronic breathlessness. I was admitted instantly after a xray showed intense inflammation in my lungs (to the point where I was breathing through a tiny pocket in one lung- if left any longer I would have passed out from lack of oxygen and suffered brain damage). Two days later I deteriorated and was rushed down to ICU, once there I became weaker and weaker to the point when I was incubated on life support for the duration of a week. Sadly at the start of life support my family were told I had 24hours to live unless I showed signs of improvement. Thank goodness I did and was monitored further for a total of just over a month in hospital. I was sent home on oxygen to breath and seriously struggled to complete daily tasks without loosing my breath. I began to see a respiratory specialist who diagnosed me with an auto-immune illness called anti-synthetase syndrome which has attacked my lungs through interstitial lung disease. Because no doctor was able to identify the inflammation I lived with this for two months which has left my lungs with permanent scar tissue meaning that my lung function and capacity is extremely impaired and will be for the rest of my life.

I have to have regular checkups and there is still fear that I may relapse, I have to complete a physio programme in order to help me learn my new limits and how to now live with interstitial lung disease.

This newfound illness means I have to remain on immunosuppressive medication for the rest of my life (this suppresses my immune system) sadly meaning I have nothing to fight off illness or other things I may catch, this resulted in me having to say goodbye to my career in teaching and working with children in general because it is too risky for me and I could end up rather ill.

I am now very limited on what I can do for a career but my other passion and dream besides teaching has always been photography which is why I would love to complete a course to define my skills and begin a career.

I am asking for help as since been ill I have not been able to work and receive a very limited sickness income and so cannot afford to complete my course, studylink can also not help me and unfortunately neither can my family.

I would be so grateful to anyone who is willing to help me in been able to afford my course to follow my dream, I am determined to not let this illness beat me or define my life and I would love the opportunity to still have a successful career in my future...photography been a realistic choice above many other options.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my story and help.

Kind regards,

Chantelle