Football fan Jacqueline spur-red on to help others with breathing difficulties

Jacqueline Green, from Canterbury, never imagined she would be back cheering on her beloved Tottenham Hotspur in person.

Find out how our Specialist Respiratory Service’s Anxiety and Symptom Management Programme helped Jacqueline feel on top of her game, and led to a role as a volunteer helping others in the same position.

A lifelong Spurs fan, 69-year-old Jacqueline Green’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) meant she had spent far too long with breathing difficulties, watching matches from home. But with determination, support from her respiratory occupational therapists and the help of a portable oxygen supply, Jacqueline is now a New White Hart Lane regular again, celebrating goals alongside her family and fellow fans.

Jacqueline (right) with her daughter Chrissie at New White Hart Lane.

Jacqueline, left, volunteering at the local pulmonary rehabilitation group.

Not only that, Jacqueline also now volunteers at her local pulmonary rehabilitation programme, passing-on her real-life experiences and showing people there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.

At one point, Jacqueline’s medical history had left her terrified about what the future might hold. It included a 16-day stay in hospital, nine of which were in a critical care unit in an induced coma, being treated for double pneumonia. In December 2024, she was readmitted to critical care with respiratory failure.

When she was referred to our East Kent Specialist Respiratory Service after being discharged from William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Jacqueline was understandably struggling with her mental health.

She was offered a place on a six-week anxiety and symptom management programme.

Respiratory Nurse Sue Gaskin explained: “I met Jacqueline at a particularly dark time in her life. Her experiences in hospital had left her traumatised and very downbeat. But I knew we could work together to help her access the support she desperately needed.”

As well as caring for people’s respiratory medical conditions, the team provides a specialist emotional wellbeing service for their patients.

Sue said: “Physical warning signs and low mood go together when you can’t breathe easily. Our programmes are run in relaxed local group settings, where we talk, and most importantly listen, to people who are struggling to adjust to living with breathing difficulties.”

Jacqueline said: “As soon as I joined, I felt less alone. I didn’t want to be ‘the old lady’ who carries her oxygen round with her – I saw it as a hindrance and embarrassing. But, by talking to other people living similar lives to mine, I gradually realised my oxygen was an enabler, not the enemy.

“We covered lifestyle choices like sleep patterns and conserving energy as well as challenging unhelpful thoughts and making simple changes to the way we have always done things.

“I was fascinated to learn that even the way I was hanging out my washing was wasting my breath – a few adjustments later and I’d cracked the COPD plan as well as the pace and rest and recover technique.

“This is what giving back and paying forward is all about.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside the therapists who helped me get my life back on track.

“To be able to tell people ‘I know how you feel’, with conviction, makes my voluntary role one of the most important and worthy ‘jobs’ I’ve ever had.”

Senior occupational therapists Beth McCrossan and Sarah Albin deliver the programme across east Kent and work closely with Sue to manage Jacqueline’s care.

Beth said: “Respiratory disease affects one-in-five people in England and can lead to a debilitating and isolating existence.

“Helping people understand that feeling low is normal, when living with a chronic condition, in turn helps them accept and adapt. As clinicians, we work together with our patients to identify the tools and strategies they need to manage and live happier and healthier lives out of hospital.

“We teach fatigue and symptom management, as well as use of oxygen. In layman’s terms, this means problem solving: Getting from A to B may look different and take a little longer but getting there is the goal and an achievement to be celebrated and built on.”

Now, as well as her voluntary work, Jacqueline has been able to get back to watching football in person, cheering on her favourite team from the stands, with her family beside her.

Jacqueline explained: “Watching the game live, with the roaring crowd, instead of in front of the telly in my front room, was a magical moment. It’s been a long time coming and at times I didn’t think I’d get here. Now I feel like I can take on the world, as well as the north London derby!

“It’s funny the things that matter to you most and what you miss about fitter and happier times. To have someone in your corner, who cares about what’s important to me, has been a highlight on my road to recovery.”