IMAGINE a life where you have to take 50 tablets a day and spend roughly three hours daily doing physical exercises to help you breathe easier.
This is the reality of Queens Park teenager Marc Phegley-Giura, but he does not let it deter him from living the best life possible.
The 16 year-old has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder which affects the lungs and digestive system and requires constant treatment in the form of pills and physical exercises.
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READ NOWMarc said it took a huge toll on his social life, with most of his spare time consumed by treatment.
“I spend lots of time before and after school doing treatment to breathe easier, I don’t get much time after school to see friends apart from when I’m playing Xbox,” he said.
“The treatment takes about 90 minutes and that’s when I’m well. When I’m unwell, maybe extra half hour to an hour.
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“I usually take about 60-70 tablets a day. I take them every time I eat food, the rest are for the morning and I have tablets for my liver.”
Despite the disorder affecting his breathing, Marc has never let it stop him from playing football.
“I’ve played football all my life. It does make it harder to play, but I don’t really notice it because I’ve lived with it,” he said.
In recent years, Marc has taken up public speaking to raise awareness about the disorder and said he has enjoyed sharing his experiences with others.
National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month takes place throughout May and 65 Roses Day takes place on May 24 to offer a chance to reflect on the disorder, which affects roughly 1 million Australians.
To raise money on Friday, Cystic Fibrosis WA will be selling roses at various locations throughout Perth.
Perth City Locations
Murray Street Mall
Hay Street Mall
Metro locations
Garden City – Booragoon
Westfield Carousel – Cannington
Belmont Forum – Belmont