WHEN Southampton dad Matt Bond received the "devastating" news that his newborn son had Cystic Fibrosis it felt like " a life sentence".

But three years on Matt says Cystic Fibrosis ( CF) has changed him - and his life - for the better.

He recalls how Caden (not his real name) was born with a blocked bowel and doctors feared the life-limiting condition.

In 90 per cent of cases a blocked bowel indicates Cystic Fibrosis. At five days old it was confirmed.

Caden spent two weeks in an intensive care neo natal unit trying to clear the blockage and then went into intensive care.

Matt recalls: "Dr Connor came walking down the corridor with a nurse on either side of him from the clinic: he didn't need to say anything- we knew.

"I can't remember any of the conversation after they said the diagnosis ; I didn't know which way was up. I still hoped they had made a mistake. It felt like a life sentence for everyone involved.

"Without the NHS Caden wouldn't be here. Technically he shouldn't be here - it's a miracle they were able to save his life. "

Now Matt says Caden has been "an inspiration": every time I think I can't do something I think why not - he can't do things but I can.

"When he was born I was not in the best place. I was over-weight, and did no exercise so I just started running and lost three or four stone.

"I never had any self-discipline. I was all over the place in my head and my relationships were a bit crazy. But Caden has grounded me and helped me see life in another light. Now I appreciate my life and people in my life. "

Matt is now trying to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis through his charity 'Caden's Fight'.

He says the day to day care of someone with CF is made stressful when people don't understand what is involved, such as having to feed children like Caden large quantities of salt as well as 30 tablets a day- special enzymes when he eats.

His physiotherapy involves wearing a resistance mask; it's like an oxygen mask that provides a work-out for your lungs.

"I don't try to hide him from the world and wrap him in bubble-wrap. People look at you horrified on hot days when you have to put a lot of salt on Caden's food. I had to force-feed him salt in West Quay one day and people were looking and walking off in disgust. "

People with CF cannot socialise with each other either because they carry certain bacteria and cross-contamination can make them worse. When Caden goes to hospital he has to go to an isolation room.

Matt's partner Lucy Hayward-John adds: "People think you can catch CF but you can't. The bugs he's got are a lot less severe but if he caught anything he can end up in hospital. If I have a cold I keep away from him as it could easily turn into a chest infection."

Caden's coughing also alarms and confuses people.

"When he has a coughing fit people look at you as if to say why would you bring your child out. But if he's coughing it's a good thing because it's getting rid of what's on his chest."

CF doesn't just affect the lungs;other organs like the pancreas are affected too so Caden has to have a fatty diet and people can develop CF-related diabetes.

Lucy adds: "He loves eating fruit and veg because kids love what they aren't suppose to have!We'll say to him if he's good he can have a banana after his meal - he doesn't like cake and chocolate!

Caden goes to nursery school and tries to lead as normal a life as possible. But he has to wear his oxygen mask twice a day.

"Doctors don't like to say what his life expectation is. The average is 40 years old but that varies. Exercise is the key as it helps get their lung function back up.

"He's a lovely little lad. He loves life and playing with his toys and he's very independent."

Matt and Lucy have been together since August 2014, having met through a choir.

They started talking about how they could raise money to help children with CF and discovered that the CF unit at Southampton Hospital is not well funded. The unit has now given them a list of items they need including nebulisers and ipads.

Now 'Caden’s Fight' (CF) a group of community fundraisers working with Southampton Hospital Charity and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust is being led by Lucy and Matt who have launched ‘Breathe In… Sing Out!’ – a night of live music to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. It is at The Point, Eastleigh on October 10.

The evening features performances from a range of artists including power-pop singer Shirin, Open Mic UK winner Iain Scott, the UK’s leading pop and soul choir Love Soul Choir and other local unsigned talents.

Tickets: £10 adults, £8 concessions - available from www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk

Website: www.cadensfight.org.uk