Brassall gran tackles Story Bridge

Josephine Gillespie | 23rd November 2009

Ruth Lovell on the Story Bridge climb.

JUST over 18 months ago, Brassall grandmother Ruth Lovell believed she was on “her last legs”.

The 73-year-old was in Ipswich Hospital with pneumonia and the outlook was bleak.

Ms Lovell underwent an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation program run by the Lung Health Service for sufferers of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and was the picture of health on Wednesday as she took part in the Ipswich centre’s treadmill relay.

Lung Health clinical nurse consultant Judy Ross said the rehabilitation program helped participants improve their fitness, build confidence and taught people how to manage their breathlessness.

“After the program Ruth walked the Story Bridge,” Ms Ross said.

“Before she did the program she couldn’t walk anywhere because she was so breathless.

“She had a chest infection and was very, very unwell.”

Ms Ross said COPD was an umbrella term which also covered emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

“Usually COPD affects one in five Australians 40 and over, but up to three or four of those with COPD will not know they have it,” she said.

“People put it down to age and just not being fit and don’t often realise they have it.”

The treadmill relay was held as part of World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day and aimed to promote awareness on lung health and COPD.

Community Health Services nursing director Jackie Clark said the event included past and present clients taking part in a treadmill relay for an hour.

“This event will help us to educate those suffering with a chronic lung disease that there are services at Ipswich which aim to improve clients’ lifestyle and maximise their health potential,” she said.