Lung Fibrosis Awareness Month – Matt Cullen

Matt Cullen’s Journey with Lung Fibrosis

For more than 40 years Matt Cullen has exhibited his artwork in galleries across Ireland. They are beautiful works of acrylic, oils, pen and ink drawings and other mediums, inspired by artists like MC Escher and Georges Seurat that reflect his fascination with science. In 2010, while still actively exhibiting his works, he began to experience the hallmark symptoms of lung fibrosis, persistent cough, breathlessness and fatigue.

At first the diagnosis didn’t seem to significantly impact Matt’s life, but in 2013, after a serious chest infection Matt received an even greater blow when he found he wasn’t just facing lung fibrosis, he was also diagnosed with number of other related diseases that increased the severity of his lung fibrosis diagnosis. It was during this difficult time that Matt learned of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA).

Living with lung fibrosis can be very challenging both physically and psychologically. For Matt, being in community with other lung fibrosis patients has been extremely beneficial, especially psychologically. Matt’s active engagement with the local Dublin lung fibrosis support group has proven to be a positive influence in his ability to manage his health issues. ILFA’s Let’s Talk webinar series has also been quite beneficial as has been the HSE’s Stress Management and Chronic Disease Self-Management programmes.

Staying active can also be challenging, particularly because of the breathlessness which is a core symptom of the disease. Despite the challenges, exercise is one of the most important things lung fibrosis patients can do to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing. There are numerous studies which show exercise can significantly improve lung function and cardiopulmonary endurance for patients. It can also help with maintaining weight, improving energy, reducing stress and improving sleep.

For Matt, the key to maintaining his fitness has been walking and in this, he has availed of ILFA’s 2000 Steps A Day Challenge.  Matt also regularly participates in thrice weekly exercise classes. Thanks to his active lifestyle, Matt now feels well enough engage in his favourite activities of gardening, volunteering and art.

He also feels well enough to give back. Matt’s passion is helping lung fibrosis patients, and as a member of the European Lung Foundation Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Advisory Group, Matt helped develop a Patient Supportive Guide which is now available in 17 languages. Matt has also been a tireless advocate for ILFA, leading the Dublin support group, taking part in exercise and yoga videos, and giving discussions on lung fibrosis in Ireland and across Europe. Matt’s ethos of community volunteering was recognised in 2015, when he won the All-Ireland Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of more than 20 years of dedicated volunteering with Swords Tidy Towns. In 2024 he celebrates fifty years of volunteering.

Matt continues to be strong and positive, actively managing his condition with the support of his medical team. He remains an established artist, but for many years Matt thought he’d never work with oil paint again as he was advised they could cause further lung damage. Fortunately, he heard about a slow drying non-toxic acrylic paint which has allowed him to return to his love of painting. Matt held his first solo art exhibit in 2015 and another one subsequently in 2019, donating 50% of the proceeds to ILFA.

September is lung fibrosis awareness month and ILFA is raising disease awareness and championing the cause of patients and the lung fibrosis community.  For more information, contact us at info@ilfa.ie or 086 8715264.