NARA – The Breathing Charity was founded in 1984 following a need for respiration monitors (apnoea alarms) by two families. One baby girl was found to suffer apnoea attacks (stopping breathing) and could do so at any time. The only way her parents could keep a check on her was to take it in turns to watch over her day and night. Following the purchase of a respiration monitor life became a little
less fraught, knowing an alarm would sound should she stop breathing. Successfully, on 15 occasions during her first 18 months of life she was resuscitated and thankfully survived. Now, a working adult, she has achieved a BA Hons Degree. Similarly, a little boy suffered the same condition, unfortunately his parents had previous suffered a tragic loss due to 'cot death'. Today, he is a fit and healthy working adult leading a successful and fruitful life. Following the above experiences, the families of the two children got together and founded this small national charity which has been responsible for assisting countless parents whose babies have suffered in a similar way. Many babies die a year through sudden infant death syndrome. As 'apnoea' does not alway come under the umbrella of infant death syndrome, it is very difficult to detect how many more babies or toddlers die from apnoea attacks, and some conditions that cause it can be very difficult to diagnose and indeed detect after death. It is like a silent stalker. The charity has gone on to expand its` remit and help numerous people who suffer severe asthma and other respiratory conditions by providing them with necessary medical equipment, support, information and care. Since 1995, NARA has provided nebulisers and other medical equipment required by patients suffering conditions such as asthma, COPD and emphysema. Other medical condition too, which in turn affects the patient`s ability to breathe ie cancer, heart conditions, and muscular dystrophy to name but a few. Nebulisers, which convert medicines to a fine mist so it is easily absorbed by the lungs, are required in severe cases. The sticky mucus that congests the lungs must be dispersed otherwise the patient may suffocate. These nebulisers are thought, by many, to be freely available on the NHS. The reality is in most cases they are not, and where they are available the patient must travel to and from their Surgery for treatment. Constant trips to the Surgery or Hospital can be both tiring, and expensive should the patient need transport. Having their own nebuliser in the home that relieve symptoms enabling the patient to breathe easier, in return allows the patient a 'more normal' lifestyle, giving them the ability to participate in everyday things such as education, sports, work and a 'near normal' social life not to forget a little bit of freedom. NARA is solely supported by public donations and fund-raising, and is mainly assisted by very generous voluntary help to continue its' day to day work. We are a very small charity, but proud to consistently spend around 80p in every £1 on its' main objectives; providing advice, medical equipment, support and care giving many the ability to 'Take a Breath'. All donations, large or small, will be put to good use trying to give those who suffer, a quality of life that we so often take for granted. These can be one-off donations or more regular donations can be made by standing order or BACS. You can also donate through pay pal via our website at www.naratbc.org.uk and hit the pink arrow to the right side of each page, please feel free to ask for more details, and thank you. A HUGE "THANK YOU" TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED US MAKE IT THROUGH THE YEARS. YOUR KIND SUPPORT HAS ENABLED US TO HELP SICK BABIES, CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ALL TYPES OF RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS, PROTECTING AND PROLONGING A 'QUALITY OF LIFE' - WITHOUT YOUR GENEROSITY WE WOULD NOT EXIST.
