Life With

RTÉ's new health series Life With. features people coping with common medical conditions like Leukaemia, Epilepsy, Arthritis, Autism, Crohn's and Asthma.

Families and young people from across the country live full lives - despite the challenges of these illnesses. This new six part series includes useful information on childhood symptoms and current treatment options.

Life with. gives a personal insight into the world of people with illnesses who are determined to live life positively.

Programmes

Programme One: Life With Leukaemia

Thursday 13th October, 8:30pm RTÉ One

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood. It affects all age groups. Every year in Ireland hundreds are diagnosed with the disease. But with advances in treatment, life with Leukaemia can often involve a full recovery.

Robyn White from Armagh was working as a nanny in London when she was diagnosed with Leukaemia. At just twenty one years of age, she had to move home to begin ten months of intensive treatment in Belfast City Hospital. Today Robyn is a beautiful, outgoing young woman. She is studying social work and has a bright future ahead of her.

Caoimhe Phelan from Cork hurt her leg ice skating, when she was eleven years old. After several tests and doctors appointments, Caoimhe was diagnosed with Leukaemia. It was a living nightmare for her mother Angela. Caoimhe's treatment was severe - at one point she had to learn to walk again. Today, Caoimhe is a bubbly fifteen year old, who dreams of becoming a paediatric oncologist.

Programme Two: Life With Epilepsy

Thursday 20th October, 8:30pm RTÉ One

40,000 people in Ireland have some form of epilepsy. Medication works in most cases, but more than 10,000 people struggle to get their seizures under control.

17-year-old Aaron Maher from Crumlin has frequent tonic colonic seizures. His goal in life is to become a paramedic, but he will only fulfil his dream if he can get his epilepsy under control.

30-year-old Miriad Kavanagh from Wicklow had daily seizures for over 25 years. She decided in 2007 to have life changing brain surgery. Miriad has now been seizure free for four years. This has enabled her to learn to drive, thrive at work and even start riding lessons.

Programme Three: Life With Autisim

Thursday 27th October, 8:30pm RTÉ One

Autism is a disability affecting a child's development and social behaviour. There are more than 5,000 autistic children of school-going age in Ireland.

Bill and Lisa Domican's two children were both diagnosed with autism as toddlers. 11-year-old Grace developed severe behavioural difficulties, while Liam, now 13, began to self harm as he grew older. Today, Liam and Grace attend a specialised school in Dublin and are thriving. Mum Lisa has developed an award-winning iPhone App for people with Autism.

Seán Foley is originally from Kerry. Seán was twelve years old when he was diagnosed with a type of Autism known as Aspergers. As a teenager, Seán came close to a complete breakdown at school. His Father, Kevin, decided to begin home schooling Seán. Today, 23-year old-Seán gives talks to other families about his own experiences with Autism, and lives with his dog in the rugged countryside of County Kerry.

Programme Four: Life With Arthritis

Thursday 3rd November, 8:30pm RTÉ One

Arthritis is a painful disease of the joints. It can have many causes, and to date no cure. Almost 700,000 people are living with different kinds of arthritis in Ireland - one thousand of those are children.

Twelve year old Niamh Costello from Tipperary has Juvenile Arthritis. She has suffered from severe joint pain since she was three years old. Sometimes the pain was so bad that Niamh could not get out of bed. After years of trying different treatments, Niamh has found some relief with weekly injections. Today, Niamh is an active girl who loves walking her dog. She is also a leading swimmer at her local pool.

Laura Hickey from Dublin was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at the age of ten. She has experienced joint stiffness and swelling all her life. There have been many nights of crippling pain. A few years ago, Laura finally found medication that has helped her to cope with her condition. Now twenty five years old Laura has completed a Master's Degree in Finance. She has a busy fulltime job, and is chairperson of an association for young people with Arthritis.

Programme Five: Life With Crohn's And Colitis

Thursday 10th November, 8:30pm RTÉ One

More than 15,000 people in Ireland suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Colitis and Crohn's are chronic and often embarrassing conditions.

Eoghan Haugh from Gorey, Co Wexford got Crohn's Disease when he was seven-years-old. He was very sick and spent several months in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. His intestines became so ulcerated he had to get a colostomy bag. Eoghan is now a healthy 12-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a professional football player.

Colette Cotter from Cork got Ulcerative Colitis during her second pregnancy. She was on daily medication for 17 years to control the chronic disease, but she continued to get flare-ups. Many Crohn's and Colitis patients find diet, lifestyle changes and complimentary therapies helpful. Colette Cotter tried homeopathy and has now been in remission for over four years.

Programme Six: Life with Asthma

Thursday 17th November, 8:30pm RTÉ One

More than 470,000 people in Ireland suffer from asthma. It is particularly common in Ireland and has increased dramatically over the last ten years.

15-year-old Lily Mannion from Athlone developed asthma when she was four-years-old. She did not grow out of her childhood asthma and had several serious asthma attacks. Lily's parents took her to respiratory specialist Dr. Elnazir in The National Children's Hospital in Tallaght. She now has her asthma under control - and a black belt in taekwondo.

56-year-old Brian Whelan from Dublin got persistent asthma after a bout of pneumonia 10 years ago. Uncontrolled asthma can put severe pressure on the rest of the body. Brian ended up with collapsed lungs, blocked arteries and steroid induced diabetes. He now has a new lease of life with a cardiac defibrillator and a brand new asthma drug.