I’ve chosen 10 photos to sum up 2023 – living, working, playing, battling & ultimately finding joy despite my health challenges with cystic fibrosis (CF)* & diabetes. This is my year thru a lens…
February, as I posted about in ‘Never give up‘, I was voted plater of the match for my field hockey team in a 4-4 draw against our rivals Wimbledon. This still means the world to me as Felix was also playing, and proves it’s crucial to hold on when things are tough as better days are often only around the corner.
March. On the 17th, I celebrated 52 years with my twin bro Jez! Each birthday feels an achievement when you have kept defying the odds with your expected death by 17. I’m officially 35 years beyond my ‘sell by’ date!
March at home / November at Lake Konstanz – at work as a full-time employee comms consultant at Hitachi Energy. I’ve worked very hard this year, enabled by the wonder CF drug Kaftrio. It gives me purpose & serves as a helpful distraction when times are tough.
May – playing a game in Reading for my beloved hockey touring team, The Phantoms! As close to a Band of Brothers (inc. my elder brother Chris) as I have ever had in my life.
June – having a wonderful time at my ‘happy place’ – Lord’s cricket ground with great uni friend Ben for England vs Ireland. Actually remember the whole day of play, so I can’t have been drinking enough!
July – one to remember as Katie & I celebrated 20 years of marriage! Through richer & poorer, bad health to better health. She deserves a medal!
August – Wonderful family holiday in Kos, one of the Greek Islands. With most freedoms back, post Covid, this truly was a joyful time together…
September – my 3rd year anniversary on CF drug Kaftrio! Despite some ongoing side effects, I may not still be here without this ground-breaking drug. Every day is a blessing.
September – Felix & I at the IWM Duxford for the Battle of Britain memorial weekend. What a blast we had, until the rain stopped play. I will remember this as I did going there with my own lovely Dad.
October – sharing my survival story with ReCode Therapeutics in San Francisco. Hopefully giving them even more inspiration to keep battling to successfully bring gene therapy to the CF community, especially the 10% who cannot benefit from Kaftrio!
I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right-hand side tab) if you have not already done so.
Yours cup half full.
Tim
Tim Wotton (author of Award-Winning CF Memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’)
* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,500 people, and 70,000 globally. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.
Tim Wotton, a Cystic Fibrosis sufferer, has been defying the odds for over 50 years and is sharing his life lessons and experiences. After counting down to the massive 40 milestone in 2011, he is now regularly sharing his trials and tribulations via this blog and his popular book 'How have I cheated death?'…
Tim Wotton 
A brilliant synopsis of the last year. Relieved you didn’t mention you celebrated my 80th on a hot June day with Chris and Lisa. Keep battling on my dear Tim, from your loving Mum xxx