'So proud of Debbie' (From Barry And District News)

'So proud of Debbie'

A BARRY mother who suffered with asthma for most of her life lost her battle against the 'killer' condition when she suffered a sudden attack.

Mum-of-one Debbie Bounds, aged 41, died suddenly on Tuesday, May 3, shortly before she was due to go to work at Helping Hands Nursery, on Gladstone Road.

Debbie was married to David and had an 11-year-old daughter Ffion. Her family and friends have been left devastated by her death.

Her mother Val Saunders said: 'She gave 100 percent every day. We're so proud.'

'She always had a smile on her face. Everyone would say to me 'Your Deb is always happy'. She was so thoughtful, always putting someone else first.'

Debbie, who attended Holton Road Primary and Bryn Hafren Comprehensive, was first diagnosed with asthma at the age of 15.

Her condition steadily worsened over the years, and last year she had to be revived in an ambulance on the way to hospital after suffering a severe attack.

Val said: 'Asthma is a killer. She got worse after that incident.

'Anything and everything would trigger an attack. At meals, if smoke came her way, she had to go home, and she often had to cut short nights out with her friends.

'She couldn't have flowers herself but she was always giving other people flowers.'

After leaving Bryn Hafren Debbie did a course in nursery nursing and became an SEN (state-enrolled nurse). She then began working with the mentally disabled at Ely Hospital.

After that, she worked with special needs children at Barry Hostel and was also involved with the Barnardo's Family Link Project, which meant looking after children whose parents needed a break.

She had recently undertaken a course in computing and was due to attend an interview for the position of medical secretary, the day after she died.

Before her death, Debbie had been campaigning for free prescriptions for asthma sufferers. Her parents will be continuing with this campaign and will also be campaigning for a complete ban on smoking in public places.

A service to celebrate her life was held last week at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. So many people turned up that mourners had to be accommodated in the church hall, where they listened to the proceedings via a loud speaker.

A poem was read out that Debbie had written, which she used to sing to the tune of Tragedy by the Bee-Gees.

Here I am - I feel alone in this world - just me!

Fighting a condition that is not visible for people to see.

Even though I know how to take them,

Relievers, steroids and other

medication:

It's Tragedy:

When you run out of breath

With a wheezy chest

It's Tragedy:

Choking on mucus while you cough

Trying to breathe and stay calm on top.

It's Tragedy:

After an attack, you feel this way

Too exhausted, forget the rest of the day.

Now you know how I'm feeling,

my-oh-my

As the attacks increase will I live or die?

But with research I can make it

Diet, medication, new techniques improving

I can take it!

It's Not Tragedy

I've got through another attack

I'm in pain, distress, but I'm fighting back!

It's Not Tragedy:

I'm not alone in this distress

There are millions of us in this mess!

It's Not Tragedy:

When you are up all hours of the night

Other people are also sharing this fight?

So keep on going you can win

On a good day fit as much as you can in!

Research your condition on your Asthma Website

As a group we will fight for our rights!