CHILDREN'S first weeks and months at school are always difficult for parents, but for Carey Ryan-Carter, letting her daughter Joely make her own way in the world is exceptionally hard.

Since Joely was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at four months old, family life for Carey and her husband Adam and their other son, Jay, seven, has centred around her care - with medication, physiotherapy, doctors' appointments and continuous hope.

Now four, Joely is settling into life at Brookburn primary school in Chorlton.

But while she might look the same as the other children decked out in her beloved school uniform, Joely's day-to-day life still involves daily medication and physiotherapy and her mum goes into school every day to administer the various drugs to keep her healthy.

Not that the strict routine dampens her spirits - Joely's family say she always wants to have fun and live her life to the full.

Carey, 35, who gave up her job as a teacher to care for Joely after she was diagnosed, cannot talk about her daughter's health without touching wood - a common cold could cause her to become seriously ill or even be life-threatening.

She said: "We have tried to become much more relaxed as time goes by about Joely's illness, but every time I go into a school and hear a child cough, I look round and I'm worrying. But it's important that Joely can lead a normal life and she absolutely loves going to school. She hates to wear anything but her uniform.

"When she was first diagnosed it was a real shock and we were constantly afraid. There are still periods of time when I just think about how frail she is, but she's a very strong person and loves getting on with school.

"Even taking her medication she shows off to the other children about the size of the tablets she can swallow - I used to worry that she would be bullied but I just think she has a really strong and lively personality that wouldn't let that happen."

Since finding out more about Joely's condition, all her family have organised and taken part in events to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which is researching gene therapy for the disease.

Carey said: "We want to raise every penny we can because gene therapy could allow Joely a much better life. It could take the life-threatening element away and stop us worrying about that all the time."

Joely recently met footballers Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville to promote a zip-slide event taking place at Old Trafford on May 14 and 15 to raise money for the CF Trust.

Both her parents will be taking part in the event, involving a zip-slide between two stands at the famous ground, in spite of Adam's fear of heights.

Carey said: "Joely didn't know who they were until she met them, but know she can't stop talking about them. Wayne Rooney was really sweet. He has a friend with cystic fibrosis and is right behind the campaign."

For more information about the zip-slide event call 020 8290 7904 or e-mail events@cftrust.org.uk

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