Few would be aware that Corey ‘Chook’ Bain, who was a star striker (winning the Golden Boot award for the most goals in first grade three years in a row 2004, ’05, ’06) suffered from cystic fibrosis (CF).

It was a condition the diminutive speed demon kept secret, not wanting sympathy or special treatment.

But now at 28, he is doing it tough.

He is presently in the respiratory ward at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, where he has been a patient for the past nine days. He believes he will stay there for at least a couple of weeks more.

His condition has been deteriorating and there are planned talks this week about him going on the transplant list.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects a number of organs in the body (especially the lungs and pancreas) by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus.

At present there is no cure for CF but the faulty gene has been identified and doctors and scientists are working to find ways of repairing or replacing it.

With today’s improved treatment, most people with CF are able to lead reasonably normal and productive lives.

And that is never more true than with Chook.

I have seen many sportsmen in full flight in a variety of sports over many years and few would match him for speed over the first 20 metres or so.

Even this year, when his health was suffering, he turned out on the local football fields with Sussex.

Mind you, he was only a shadow of his former self, and spent most of his time between the sticks as goalie in second grade.

Diagnosed when he six years

old, Bain has already outlived doctors’ expectations.

“I was told I would be lucky to live to be 10. I passed that. Then they said a teenager. Well, I’ve outlasted that too,” he said.

“They haven’t given me any time frame since.

“I’ve just managed my disease and got on with life and done the best I could. And that meant proving the doctors wrong.”

But his latest battle is proving a real test.

“I’m not too good at the moment,” he admitted.

“I’m on IV fluids and some strong medication to help out and it seems to be working.

“I have been able to manage my condition through medication and physio for a long while now and basically living in the Shoalhaven, where the air is fresh, has been fantastic – getting away from pollution has helped.”

But he is now gearing up for possibly his biggest challenge.

This week he will be talking to doctors about his chance to beat his affliction, a life-saving operation that would mean a double lung transplant.

He says his decision to not publicise his condition was not out of embarrassment but more that he wanted to be treated as an equal.

“I just wanted to be a normal person, my goal was to get on with life with no special treatment, just do things a normal person would,” he said.

“People who didn’t know me or what was going on would probably see me huffing and puffing around a field and think gee that young guy’s unfit.

“The real truth was often I was just trying to breathe.

“My close mates knew what was going on and they have been

really supportive.”

But he admits he would love

to hear from anyone who would like to give him a call and just have a chat.

Chook can be contacted at the respiratory ward at Westmead Hospital on 9845 5555.

Push to test athletes for heart conditions

Story: AMY FINDLAY

Photo: ROBERT CRAWFORD

HEART failure is the leading cause of death in young athletes, according to the British Journal of Heart Medicine.

There is now a push for young athletes to undergo testing for heart abnormalities prior to engaging in a sporting career.

Two local athletes, Chris Brien from Berry and Tony Lim from Huskisson, both discovered they had heart conditions when they became sick.

Mr Brien, a 22-year-old police officer, went to the doctor when he became ill.

“Last year, they discovered I had a heart valve infection and after some tests I found out I had a leaking valve,” he said.

“So basically I need a valve replacement in the next five to 10 years.”

In 2008, Mr Brien played fullback in the premiership-winning Shoalhaven Rugby Club first-grade side and never let the condition get the better of him.

“I lost a lot of weight from it and missed about half the season, but I did come back and I played in the first grade grand final,” he said.

“You can’t put your life on hold because of a heart condition, otherwise things would be pretty boring.

“I think heart conditions in athletes is an issue but to have every young athlete tested is overkill.”

Mr Lim, a 58-year-old triathlete, disagreed with Mr Brien, saying the routine testing was a good initiative.

“I think they should, it is a good idea,” he said, “especially for males because we just don’t listen to our bodies.

“Too often we think we know what we are doing and we think we are fit but that’s often not the case.”

Mr Lim recently represented Norfolk Island at the Triathlon World Championships and almost missed out, when he discovered he had heart abnormalities just weeks before the event.

“I had the flu so went to the doctor,” he explained.

“I said I also had a tight chest so they gave me an ECG and found I had an enlarged valve and a murmur.

“An enlarged valve is quite common in endurance athletes so I had a CAT scan to make sure.

“As a result they found I had two valves in my chamber, where I was supposed to have three.”

Mr Lim then went through a series of stress tests to give him the all clear to compete at the world championships, which he passed.

“ECG tests are important to prevent situations like the one in Mogo on the weekend,” Mr Lim said.

The deputy commissioner of the SES, Greg Slater, 46, died in a 100-kilometre mountain bike event in Eurobodalla on Sunday, from a suspected heart attack.