A young mum with asthma died after suffering an attack in bed, despite her family's desperate efforts to save her. Amy had just moved into a new home with fiancé Keagan Boylan and her two children Bailey, four, and Orla, eight months.
Amy had suffered with severe asthma all her life, and even feared going to the shops alone in case she suffered an attack. But as reported by the Manchester Evening News, the 22-year-old had been looking forward to getting married in June 2023.
Her dad Paul Greenwood said the attack at home was "her worst nightmare" come true. Amy was rushed to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan and sadly died there on Friday, October 21.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Paul described her as a "lovely" and "caring" woman and an "adoring mother" who would look out for everyone. And he said the family now wants to raise awareness that the idea of "one puff of a blue inhaler and you are fine", is false.
Paul said Amy, a native of Skelmersdale near Wigan, had been "a bit wheezy" before the attack happened. "I was at a game at the time and she rang me because Orla had just started crawling," he said.
He said Amy had a shower and told them on Facetime she was feeling better and went to bed. And he said they all held out hope she would survive after she suffered the attack.
"We all performed CPR on her while we waited for the paramedics," he said. "They blue lighted them to Wigan. A sister later told us the family needed to come to see her - we still felt there was some hope.
"They [Wigan Infirmary] looked after her really well. We cannot fault them.
“Their care was second to none. With asthma, everyone thinks you take a puff on a blue inhaler and you are fine.
“It is much more than that. It is the research into it and so much more behind the scenes that we need to look into. Asthma is so debilitating.”
Something as simple as taking her children to school was often a difficult task for Amy, he said. She always feared an attack coming on but had been excited by the news she would be coming off steroids - which she did not like due to the side effects.
"Amy led a full life", Paul said. He explained that asthma "was always a part of her" but it did not stop her living her life completely.
Asthma and Lung UK is an important charity for the family and they are keen to generate funds to help. Amy’s mum Joanne ran the London marathon to raise money for the charity last year, and Amy's brother James, 20, will follow suit next year.
The family want to see further research into more advanced treatment for people with severe asthma. A GoFundMe page was set up in honour of the family to help them with ‘anything they need’ by family friend Julia Hale.
It has already generated more than its original target of £7,000. The family have been overwhelmed by this community response and believe some of the money will go towards their chosen charity.
