A six-year-old boy from Belfast has been given a better chance in life thanks to new cystic fibrosis treatment.
Tom Rice from East Belfast has been living with the condition since he was three weeks old, and has experienced dramatic changes in his first three months of using a new medication.
The tablets from Vertex were released during the pandemic for adults and the age for its use was eventually lowered to six, meaning Tom was able to start using it after his sixth birthday in January.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Tom's mum Helen said the changes in her son have been "unbelievable."
"He's thankfully never let it hold him back, but this has certainly been life-changing for him," she explained.
"He's only six, he doesn't really see the big picture as such. I ask him how he feels and whether it makes him feel any different and he says 'yes mummy, I can breathe deeper and I can run faster, and I don't feel tired anymore.' That's a big change to anyone's life really.
"He had his first review of his treatment last week. He's been on the drug now for three months, and the changes are unbelievable. He's put on weight, can breathe easier, he can run faster, he has more appetite.
"The results in his lung tests have shown his lung capacity is better and he's breathing so much better. We want him to have a life that is without limits and it's something we want for everyone with cystic fibrosis.
"We are so happy he was able to get onto medication so soon, because for a lot of people they got onto them too late. It's just given him a proper start to life and we're so happy."
Cystic fibrosis is an incurable life-limiting genetic condition affecting over 10,00 people in the UK, with the most recent data showing half of those who die from the condition are 36 or under.
While newer drugs for treating it are now available, they don't work for everyone, have come too late for others, and they are not a cure.
Before starting on this new medication, Tom would cough, would be more tired than average children, and struggled to gain any weight.
Helen continued: "Tom has to do physio and has to take a lot of medication and supplements to keep his weight stable. It's a daily thing for him and something he can't miss.
"It's all been part of his routine since he was three weeks old so he knows no different, he's been swallowing tablets since he was two. It's all been part of his routine.
"The whole of last year he put on 1.5kg, but since he went on this medication he's put on 3kg in three months. That's only three months of treatment, so the hospital has said to stop his supplements for weight gain.
"It's really emotional for us because we always thought these drugs would come a lot later in his life. We were really worried about the scarring that would happen in his lungs and his lung function decreasing, but now we know we're doing everything we can to help him.
"We are so happy he is eligible for these drugs as sadly some of the CF community are not due to their gene mutations but hopefully with continued research, science and investment treatments will be available soon."
Working as a pharmacist at Dundela Pharmacy on the Belmont Road, Helen is happy to be holding a fundraising event for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust there on Friday, June 17.
It will mark "Wear Yellow Day" - a yellow themed fundraiser that raises money to support people affected by the condition.
They will have an exercise bike outside the shop, with staff taking part to cycle miles for cystic fibrosis. As well as this, they will be decorating the shop yellow, and are hoping to raise awareness of the condition as well as funds for the CF Trust.
You can also donate to the CF Trust through their Just Giving page here.
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