KEIGHLEY woman Christine Sharp is presenting a charity appeal on BBC Radio 4 for the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

She will tell listeners how she lives with osteoporosis, a condition where bones to strengthen break more easily, even after a minor bump or fall.

The appear is due to air on the morning of World Osteoporosis Day on October 20.

Christine has suffered several broken bones in her spine due to osteoporosis and was forced to give up her hairdressing business as a result.

She said: “One winter morning I had a simple slip on my driveway. I found out I had two broken bones in my spine and was shocked to be diagnosed with osteoporosis.

“The pain was so bad I could hardly stand at work. After struggling on for a year, I couldn’t do it anymore and made the heart-breaking decision to stop work. I gave up my hairdressing business and the job that I loved.

“I’ve since broken several more bones in my spine, simply by pulling on my trousers and going over speed bumps in the car. My bones are so fragile, just a cough can make them break. It’s terrifying. I’m always looking down, afraid of tripping or being knocked.

“The worst part is losing six inches in height, all from between my ribs and hips, because the bones in my spine are crushed. My organs are squashed into less space so I can’t eat much and breathing literally hurts. It’s constant pain. Osteoporosis has changed my life.”

The Osteoporosis Society said many people lived for years with back pain or height loss without making the connection that it could be osteoporosis and the result of broken bones in their back.

According to thecharity, almost 288,000 people in Northern England could have broken bones in their spine that are not diagnosed.

Christine said: “The Royal Osteoporosis Society has been my lifeline. Without its support, I may not be as positive as I am today – so I was delighted to present the charity’s appeal on BBC Radio 4.

“My hope is that new research will uncover more about the disease. This, along with greater awareness about the importance of bone health, will hopefully stop others from going down this painful road unnecessarily.”

Visit theros.org.uk/BBCRadio4 for further information.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society (formerly the National Osteoporosis Society) is the only UK-wide organisation dedicated to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.