To "shine a spotlight" on life with cystic fibrosis, a photography student who never imagined she would live past 30 is exhibiting her work.
When Ciara Hillyer, a Bristol resident, was five days old, her respiratory condition was identified.
I am incredibly proud of myself for making it this far, said Ms. Hillyer.
It's impressive, in my opinion, to graduate with a Master's degree after turning 30 when you weren't supposed to. ".
As a teenager, Ms. Hillyer began taking pictures, and she claimed that it served as a diversion during many trips to Bristol Children's Hospital.
When she wasn't feeling well, she continued to carry her camera because it provided her with something to concentrate on.
Due to the buildup of sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system brought on by the inherited condition known as cystic fibrosis, sufferers experience frequent lung infections and issues with food digestion.
According to the NHS website, life expectancy is shortened and the condition gradually gets worse over time. Treatments are available to make it easier to live with the condition.
"You can feel completely lost and isolated from society when you have a chronic health condition, so being able to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and the fact that there is much more to it than just illness is really positive," Ms. Hillyer said. ".
Ms. Hillyer obtained a BA in photography from the University of the West of England (UWE) in 2015, and the university accepted her for its Masters program beginning in 2022.
The name of her capstone project is "Breathing Space.".
She explained, "[It's about] finding the peace, allowing myself to breathe, and living in the moment.".
Hospitalization can be a big, dramatic, and frightening experience, so I believe there is a lot of fear associated with it.
However, as a long-term patient who is accustomed to visiting the hospital, even the smell of the hallways gives me a sense of security. " .
Ms. Hillyer said she intends to pursue a career in photography and that she hopes sharing her story will inspire others in a similar situation to follow their dreams.
From June 8 to June 15, various locations on the university campus will host the exhibition, which is a component of UWE's degree show.
