"My big goal is to become the first person with CF to be a professional footballer" - Morgan's story

Birth and diagnosis

I spent basically all of my infancy in hospital, while doctors were trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I was then stuck in a loop going in and out of hospital all the time for the next 2 years. It wasn’t as well known, even back then. 

Then it was a battle to try and figure out the best way of staying fit and healthy. All the tablets, nebs, physio. I remember doing lots of breathing exercises to try and increase my lung capacity too. Then, as I got older, mum and dad wanted me doing as much exercise as possible.

I have ADHD so I need to be out and about and on the move, I don’t like sitting down for too long. This has benefitted my CF because I love being out and about and moving my body.

Football

I’ve been playing football for as long as I can remember and I’ve been kicking a ball since I could walk. My dad used to play, so it’s a family sport. Plus, I was quite good at it and it gave me something to do.

I joined a few of the local football teams around and started competing in day-long competitions. When we moved to Cornwall when I was eight, I joined a team straight away. At first I played as a right back, and realised I didn’t quite have the fitness. Dad used to be a goalkeeper so he suggested I play there and since then I’ve just got better and better. I then moved to Truro under 18s and Charlestown U18s playing outfield for Charlestown to improve my fitness and in goal for Truro.

Alongside that I did a sports football college course with Plymouth Argyle and a local college. I got to play football all week and really enjoyed it. I got my passion from there and gained loads of skills and insight. 

I then moved into men’s teams, starting local, then moving to Truro reserves team, until I got to do a bit with first team. I’m at Falmouth now, just starting my second season. We got promoted through the playoff finals and won the senior cup, so last year was a big year. I also won Young Player of the Season at the awards night and was really grateful for everyone voting for me.

My big goal is to become the first person with CF to be a professional footballer and promotion has definitely helped me towards this goal – I can’t wait for this season. I want to inspire other kids with CF and people with other disabilities. I also want people to know that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

ADHD and school

I have ADHD and struggled to concentrate in school for as long as I can remember. Secondary school was so tough. I had to go to a separate room to do physio in the morning, was then late to my first lesson and always felt different. I tried not to let it affect me. I had to find ways around it – I had tutors and tried to do extra work at home. I was always top of the class in PE though so I tried to excel at the things I was good at.

I left in year 10 and went to college which was a better environment for me. I did a Sport qualification at college and did really well, playing football alongside the course. School wasn’t for me, but college was because I was doing stuff I actually enjoyed.

Kaftrio and health

I’m on Kaftrio, and started that almost a year ago. It was a real game changer for me. I feel the healthiest and fittest I’ve ever been. Though it comes with a few challenges for me as well. Growing up I had to eat double the amount of food others my age were eating, but I never put on weight. I didn’t change my diet so over the first few months on Kaftrio I started putting weight on. That was a struggle for me. I didn’t know what to do, I’ve never had to worry about that. Now I have to figure out how to come back down in weight and continue to remain fit and healthy. It’s helped me in everything else so I’m not too worried about it. I rarely cough anything up now.

Over the last 21 years I’ve had a few weeks in and out of hospital, doing IVs. The more fit and healthy I get, the less I end up being admitted. That’s my aim, I never want to be in hospital. I just want to stay as fit and healthy as I can to excel in sport and whatever else I’m doing at the time. 

Family

My older brother has CF as well. He’s 24 now. He was tested for CF after I was diagnosed because CF is a genetic condition. I also have a younger brother and younger sister who don’t have CF. 

My older brother is autistic and has learning disabilities so always went to a different school. That meant most people at my school hadn’t dealt with CF before. People I played football with knew that I had it, but I didn’t really want to tell people. I just tried to crack on with it. When I was doing my physio I might have to explain where I’d been, and it was always alright. It wasn’t until college I got my best mates and could talk a bit more about my CF - they’re really good about it but I still try not to make it a thing.

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