My name is Panagiota-Maria Triantafyllopoulou. I am 16 years old and I live in Athens, in sunny Greece. I am currently a high school student, and passionate about dancing, travelling and contributing to awareness campaigns about protecting the environment.  

I was diagnosed with severe asthma at an early age and have been living with symptoms for as long as I can remember. This has led to hospital stays throughout my life and means I cannot go anywhere without my inhalers. When I was in elementary school, my teachers and classmates knew that in the case of an asthma crisis, I would have to be taken to the hospital. 

Even now, I visit the hospital for regular tests, usually a spirometry test. I have been hospitalised twice with severe crises, which left me increasingly stressed about my asthma management. I do try to live a life without restrictions, like others my age. However, there can be challenges. When I want to go on holiday, I must carefully consider the conditions of the hotel and when I go outside, I need to think about the type of trees in the surrounding area. Sometimes, I even worry if there will be smokers among my parents’ friends during a social event. Also, I was especially afraid of becoming infected during the COVID-19 pandemic as this would worsen my symptoms. 

However, these difficulties do not stop me from pursuing my goals nor do they decrease my passion for dance or my ability to participate in competitions. I have also been able to take part in anti-smoking campaigns throughout Greece, to raise awareness and inform people, including teenagers, about the effects of passive smoking. 

The message I want to share with you is that asthma can be a part of our lives, but it does not define who we are. With effective treatment, regular medical follow-up, avoidance of irritants and support from family and friends, we can live a full and active life like our peers. 

Why is joining the ELF Youth Group important to you?

Being a part of the ELF Youth Group is important to me. Since I am dealing with a serious lung condition that affects the way I live, I want to provide support to teenagers in a similar situation, both across Europe and worldwide. I hope that I can encourage other teenagers with chronic lung conditions to join us! 

Activities run by the ELF Youth Group will promote awareness and empower young people living with lung conditions. This is important to help people my age become more proactive and engaged in important issues and help them to make healthier life choices. 

Every day is a new opportunity to improve our lung health and follow our dreams. We must not let challenging times discourage us and prevent us from striving for the best. Remember, you are not alone in this struggle. There are many people who support and care about you.