Positive athlete represents number 17 campaign

For many, this Sunday marks the end of the month and the closure of winter. It’s just another normal weekend as people prepare to go to work or home schooling the following day.

 

But for Preston based paralympian Jack Bridge  it means so much more. You see Jack lives with the rare disease Haemophilia A and he is 1 of 17 people who will live with such a disease at some point in their life. 

 

So why is this Sunday so important to him? On 28th February 2021 many people will be joining Jack in marking what is officially rare disease day. It aims to raise awareness amongst the public domain and decision makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.

 

In the face of adversity Jack remains undefeated. As an athlete he competed in the 2012 Paralympic games and is  one of the 17 change makers for the ‘I am number 17’ campaign which seeks to raise awareness of the many difficulties Jack and others with this disease face on a daily basis.

 

Jack speaks bravely about the disease and his time as an athlete, 

 

“My condition puts me at risk of bleeding in the joints or on the brain, however, I have never let haemophilia A stop me from swimming. I am proud to have represented my country in a sport where I was able to perform at my best”. 

 

Takeda UK created the ‘I am number 17’ at the beginning of 2020, with a collective of 13 advocacy groups from across the UK. 

 

The campaign is successfully championed  by change -makers. People living with a rare disease or supporting someone who has a rare disease, throughout the UK. 

 

Each change- maker experience is unique though they all share the same objective - to raise awareness of rare conditions amongst the public. 

 

The 17 change- makers are producing 17 different pieces of content ranging from the following:-

The content is designed with the intention to highlight the care, treatment and support needs of patients, the lived experiences of people with rare conditions, diagnosis challenges and the disruption to care due to the pandemic.

 

Jack concludes with how he has dealt with isolation yet still has a strong field of contacts for help when he needs it, 

 

“Lockdown has been a massive struggle. I’ve lost members of my family and my job. If it wasn’t for my friends and family staying in contact through FaceTime, it would have been an awful lot worse. I’m grateful to have wonderful people around me, and that’s what is important for me to remember”. 

 

To find out more about the campaign simply access the following link:-

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger