As I had to retire on ill-health grounds unprepared it has taken me a long time to come to terms with the changes involved. I have breathing difficulties which appeared as I coughed up blood and had a tightness in my chest.

Many investigations later and with many different medications I now seem to appear to have struck a balance in life but at what cost… If I try to walk for a while my chest tightens and I have to take a pause to catch my breath. (That “while” tends to diminish in steps each year).

I know I am not alone and I know that others like me have found their balance to be able to make sense of the condition and how it impacts on living. I am motivated to write about my experiences in the hope that it might help others who like me find a dramatic event turns their life upside down. I hope no-one else experiences the horror of looking at a tissue blood soaked only to repeat that another twice and realise their working life has to be put to one side while health is investigated first. To suddenly find myself wheezing and struggling to walk after being hooked since my early twenties on walking over rough terrain enjoying some of the wonderful sights available to ramblers of the British countryside for nearly forty years was a horrible shock.

I have been inspired by David Walker of http://www.davidwalker.im/coaching/ to look at my abilities and find a way of connecting with others that will be of use to others. I hope my discoveries may be helpful and not motivated by trying to find how to replace an income but rather trying to help others avoid problems I have experienced and shine a light on possibilities to explore. I hope you will join me on my explorations…

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