Cystic fibrosis sufferer Mandi lived life to the full
A SPALDING mum has spoken of her grief after losing her second child to cystic fibrosis and is urging those with the condition to live their lives to the full.
Alun Copland (22) died from the disease 11 years ago and now mum Susan (59) is dealing with the death of her daughter Mandi Skerritt (39), who lost her battle with the condition on June 11.
Cystic fibrosis is a condition which clogs the lungs in sticky mucus and leaves sufferers struggling to breath.
Mrs Copland, of Severn Road, wants to reassure those living with cystic fibrosis that despite its “horrible” nature, they can still have a full life.
She said: “It’s a horrible, horrible illness, but people can live to be a good age.
“They can enjoy life. Cystic fibrosis doesn’t have to mean doom and gloom.”
Mandi, who lived in Holbeach Road, Spalding, with her partner Paddy and son Ricky (18), packed a lot into her life.
After leaving St Guthlac’s School, Crowland, she trained as a chef but had to give it up because the heat in the kitchen hampered her breathing.
She then went on to become a silver service waitress at the Bull Hotel in Peterborough.
Mrs Copland added: “Doctors told her not to have a baby because of her health, but she did it.
“That was Mandi – if she was told not to do something, she would do it, just to prove she could.”
Doctors told Mandi she was dying six months ago and said her only hope would be a lung transplant but after seeing the toll a heart and lung transplant had taken on her brother Alun, she decided to die with dignity.
Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs Copland said: “She was stubborn, very funny and the life and soul.
“She was very proud of everything she did and we were proud of her achievements.”
Mandi’s family are now planning to hold a party on what would have been her 40th birthday next year to raise awareness of the condition and to raise funds for the cystic fibrosis unit at Cambridge’s Papworth Hospital where she was treated.
Mrs Copland added: “I can’t praise the staff at Papworth enough. They are incredible people and the care Mandi received was unbelievable.”
Mandi’s brother Lee (28) added: “She was a very courageous young lady, who took the bull by the horns and dealt with whatever life chucked at her.
“She is at peace now and not fighting anymore.”
n Mandi’s funeral was held yesterday. For more information about cystic fibrosis visit www.cftrust.org.uk
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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