Young achievers overcome asthma

Young achievers overcome asthma Southwell headmaster Jason Speedy, dad Paul Bragg, Richard Bragg, Julie-Anne Bragg, Asthma Young Achiever representatives Bev Henneker, Elizabeth Maureen, Nancy Illing celebrating success with the Leigh and Betty Dunbar Award. Photo / Tom Rowland

A number of school children in New Zealand work hard to achieve their very best, despite dealing with difficult circumstances.

These children are not different, but brave in the way they strive to overcome adversity surrounding a respiratory condition.

The Asthma Young Achievers awards recognises student in Hamilton who have worked hard in any sphere of education while dealing with a respiratory condition.

Richard Braggs from Southwell School and Naima Makata from Koromatua School were the two recipients of the award in 2017.

Richard, 7, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at three weeks of age, a life-threatening genetic disorder.

For Richard, the usual mucous formed in the lungs is thick and hard to shift, which in turn causes frequent chest infections and damages the lungs.

Despite having to undergo intensive treatment each morning before school due to his cystic fibrosis, he participates in sports, music, drama and science.

Each day Richard may have to take up to 15 pills with his meals, while spending 20 minutes using nebulisers, which help soften the mucous in the lungs to make it easier for him to cough when he has physio.

Richard's success was celebrated at a school assembly last Friday , which headmaster Jason Speedy called a special moment. "It was a fantastic occasion in front of his community to recognise Richard's resilience and attitude in the face of the challenges of asthma," said Mr Speedy.

Bev Henneker, Elizabeth Maureen and Nancy Illing of the Waikato Asthma and Respiratory Trust presented Richard with a trophy, certificate and a $200 Whitcoulls voucher, which Dad, Paul Bragg said would end up going on something around Lego Star Wars.

Naima Makata, who suffers from asthma, has had an exceptional 2017 so far, performing as the lead dancer in a Pacifica performance that was streamed worldwide, while also winning the speech competition in her year.

The Waikato Asthma and Respiratory Trust received a generous bequest from Betty Dunbar in 2014 to recognise the achievements of young people with asthma who do well in any area of education, be it academic, sport, social or community activities.

The award is open to all children between the ages of 5 and 13 years who have overcome the difficulties of living with asthma or other respiratory conditions, and who attend a primary or intermediate school in the Hamilton area.