A primary school teacher who has cystic fibrosis has urged those socialising over Christmas to stay safe and be mindful of people who are vulnerable or elderly.
Áine Stafford, 25, from Clonmel loves teaching the special class for children with autism at a primary school in Newcastle, Co Tipperary.
But when schools reopened last September after the shutdown, Áine could not return to the job she has been doing for three years.
That is because Áine has cystic fibrosis and needs to protect herself from contracting Covid-19.
"The biggest struggle for me was that there was no end in sight," she told RTÉ Radio One's This Week.
"It wasn’t a case of me going back at midterm or Christmas - I did not know when I could go back. I had to accept this and try to work from home as much as possible."
During a video call with her CF nurse, Áine learned that the guidelines had changed. Because her condition was deemed to be stable, she could return to the classroom
"I was back the next week!" she said.
Áine needs to be ultra careful any time she leaves her home, but her pupils have been great in helping to protect her. "They are so good, so resilient and so adaptable. They are all washing their hands and using hand sanitiser.
"I wear my face mask from the time I enter the school building until the time I leave. I have two screens, one on a round table where I work with the children and one at my main desk."
Like everyone, Áine has missed out on a lot in 2020. The early months cocooning were not so hard as everyone was in the same boat.
But then in October, when others could move about, Áine could not attend her sister's wedding in England. "That was hard as she is my only sister."
Christmas will be quiet for Áine. She will not be venturing out to restaurants or shopping centres despite the current relaxation of restrictions.
"I’ll be extremely cautious over Christmas. I’ll be staying at home as much as I can for the two weeks. I want to be able to continue to go to work. I’m lucky that I live with my mam and dad. I can have a Christmas at home with them. I know that’s not the case for a lot of people."
Áine is urging anyone who will be socialising or gathering in large groups over the coming weeks to think about those who are vulnerable.
"I can understand that people are craving to see their loved ones and meet up with people.
"But I would urge everybody to consider those who are elderly and vulnerable who have been cocooning for months and months on end.
"Take all precautions necessary and if at all possible, avoid going to crowded places."
With Christmas holidays approaching, her short-term goal is be able to get back to the classroom in January and stay healthy until the vaccines start to do their job.
The festive season is going well so far for Áine. This week in Limerick Regional Hospital she received her first dose of Kaftrio, the successor drug to Orkambi.
Both drugs were hard won by people with CF and their families who campaigned and worked with the HSE to get them approved.
Ireland is one of just four European countries to authorise Kaftrio. The drug targets the mutation which 92% of patients in the CF registry of Ireland have. At present, it is being given to people over the age of 12.
"It’s a really important drug for people with cystic fibrosis," said Áine. "It’s a ground-breaking drug."
She expects to see the benefits in the coming year. "Hopefully it will increase my lung function, help me to gain weight, help my breathing and reduce hospital admissions," she told This Week
The pandemic has been a very anxious time for everyone. But for high-risk individuals there are extra worries. Áine said getting Covid-19 would be "quite detrimental" to someone like her.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Áine lost her sleeping pattern, but with the support of friends, family and her CF team (nurse, psychologist and physiotherapist) she found a way through.
With Christmas holidays approaching, her short-term goal is be able to get back to the classroom in January and stay healthy until the vaccines start to do their job.
"2021 will bring more hope and promise but definitely I would urge people to be safe over Christmas."
