Despite both suffering from cystic fibrosis, a debilitating lung condition, Natalie Crawford and her son Preston are using running to help them beat the disease and inspire others

INSPIRATION

WORDS: LISA JA CKSON

Natalie at the finish of the September 2016 Milton Keynes Half Marathon

Cystic fibrosis is part of every day of my life: there are no days off, there is no escape,” says Natalie Crawford, 35, from Northampton, mum to Skye-Hope, nine, and Preston, six. “Both myself and Preston have CF, so my days revolve around hospital visits, physio, breathing exercises, oral and nebulised drugs, and treatments (often totalling six hours a day, more when we’re unwell).

“I was diagnosed with CF at the age of 28 during my second pregnancy. At my 20- week scan I was told Preston had meconium ileus, a bowel blockage, which is a marker for CF. Further tests confirmed we both had this life-limiting, genetic condition affecting mainly the lungs and the digestive system. Thick, sticky mucous causes bacterial growth in the lungs, which results in lung infections and damage. There is currently no cure and life expectancy is about 37 years. Strangely, the diagnosis came as a relief: I finally received treatment that began to ease my symptoms.