Teacher Jonathan strides out for lung disease

Primary school teacher Jonathan Barnicott suffer from cystic fibrosis but he doesn't let it hold him back as Catherine Scott discovers.
Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis  is doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott MerryleesJonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis  is doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees
Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis is doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees

Jonathan Barnicot was nine years 
old when he was diagnosed with 
the life-limiting condition cystic fibrosis.

“Nine is quite late to be diagnosed but up until then they just thought I had asthma,” says the primary school teacher.

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“I had chest infection after chest infection and eventually they decided to do some tests and they discovered I actually had cystic fibrosis.”

.Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis (left) and his friends Jo Stevenson, Lewis Bates and Ellie Marlow who are doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees.Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis (left) and his friends Jo Stevenson, Lewis Bates and Ellie Marlow who are doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees
.Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis (left) and his friends Jo Stevenson, Lewis Bates and Ellie Marlow who are doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees

Cystic Fibrosis (CF ) is an inherited condition caused by a faulty gene that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of cells.

This causes mucus to gather in the lungs and digestive system and creates a range of challenging symptoms.

More than 2.5 million people in the UK carry the faulty gene, around one in 25 of us – most without knowing. There are more than 10,800 people with CF in the UK.

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There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis but many treatments are available to manage it, including physiotherapy, exercise, medication and nutrition.

.Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis (left) and his friends Jo Stevenson, Lewis Bates and Ellie Marlow who are doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees.Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis (left) and his friends Jo Stevenson, Lewis Bates and Ellie Marlow who are doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees
.Jonathan Barnicott who has cystic fibrosis (left) and his friends Jo Stevenson, Lewis Bates and Ellie Marlow who are doing a 40 mile walk in a single day to raise money for research into the condition. Picture Scott Merrylees

Each week five babies are born with cystic fibrosis, and two people with the condition die.

More than half of the cystic fibrosis population in the UK will live past 41, while improved care and treatments mean that a baby born today is expected to live even longer.

Although Jonathan struggled with his health at university when ‘life got in the way’, he now manages his condition well.

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“It is really important with CF to keep fit and healthy,” says the 26 year old who was a keen hockey player and coach. “When I am less active is when I end up getting ill.”

Jonathan works with four and five year-olds at Westways School in Crookes, Sheffield and this can bring its own challenges.

“When I first started work I did catch a lot of things from the children as there always seemed to be someone with a cough or a cold and then I would end up off work. It was particularly bad in the run up to Christmas.”

He decided to become a teacher after coaching under-11s and under-nines at hockey.

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“While I was doing my teacher training I was given a placement in the foundation stage and I just loved it.” Jonathan has now gone part time and he find it really helps to keep his condition in check.

“I now have two extra days to recover and to keep fit and healthy which really seems to be helping.”

For the last two years Jonathan says his health has been good so long as he keeps fit, does physiotherapy breathing exercises twice a day, uses a nebuliser and continues his drug regime.

And he has never let the condition hold him back.

“My mum and dad were brilliant, They did everything they could to make sure that CF didn’t hold me back or stop me doing the things I wanted to do.”

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Now Jonathan wants to do something not only to raise funds and awareness of CF but also to inspire others who may have been diagnosed with it.

He and his friends and family are taking part in Great Strides 65 North for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The challenge sees teams walk 40 miles, starting from Whitby, and walking the North York Moors all in a day.

“We have been in training but it is still a pretty big ask,” says Jonathan whose team is aptly named It’s Us Against Phlegm.

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“The longest we’ve walked so far is 30 miles which was okay. But we will have to meet at 5am for a 6am start. The challenge is going to staying on my feet.”

It is expected that the walk will take at least 17 hours – a challenge for anyone but when you have problems with your lungs it is a whole other matter.

“Some teams are doing it in a relay, but we plan for all 11 of us to do the entire walk.”

Jonathan and his team have set themselves the goal of raising £2,000 and they are already pretty close to it.

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“The Cystic Fibrosis Trusts do a great job, not only supporting people with CF but also funding research into it,” says Jonathan, who has taken part in a number of research trials in Sheffield.

He says the future does not worry him.

“It’s not something I think about,” he says.

“I just get on with life and take every day as it comes and try to keep as fit and healthy as I can.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Jonathan and his team should visit https://gs65north.everydayhero.com/uk/its-us-against-phlegm

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system. 
A build-up of thick mucus means that people with 
cystic fibrosis struggle with a reduced lung function and have to combat this with extensive physiotherapy and nebulised treatments. This mucus also blocks the pancreas and 
people with CF have to take enzymes to help them with 
the digestion of food.

For more information visit www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk

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