some Words about the Irish Alpha One Foundation

I'm a German who came 11 Years ago to Ireland , I originally had only planned to stay 1-2 Years , yeah right, that was 11 Years ago.I love Ireland it has become my Home.
But because of my Possible future Health Problems I was kind of Concerned with the Irish Health System, yes in Germany I could just walk into a GP without Paying him 50 Euro just to say hello , that's the good side but is the Irish Health System really so bad, I don't think so, I have seen really horrible things in Germany so it's not so bad as everyone thinks it is.
But I don't really want to talk about the Irish Health System , I want to talk about the Irish Alpha 1 Organisation ( which is of course part of the Irish Health System ).
My first Contact with the Alpha One Foundation was back in 2004 ,  honestly I was at a pretty low Point at that time ,at that time I suffered badly from Cold and Bronchitis . I had this Cough for Month and I was in a real denial that I was a Alpha1. Hey I was a MZ and according to everyone one real Risk , however no one could explain me why the Heck I had one Cold after the next .
I confided to a Friend of mine, that I had this Alpha1 Gene and  I was pretty sure that no GP in Ireland had ever heard about it . Back in Germany barely anyone knew what Alpha1 was and that it was discovered in my Mum was probably pure Luck ( She went by Chance to the one Lung Specialist in the whole of Northern Germany who  had knowledge about Alpha 1 ).
My Friend did Research and found the Irish Alpha One Foundation , so after some time I gave in and got my appointment , they checked my Blood Levels and confirmed i was a MZ ( I knew that already because I had been tested in Germany ).
Now the Consultation started I got my Lung Function Test  , they explained me what  I should avoid ( Smoking etc ) , what I should do when I got a cold / Flu and on top of it they did send a information Letter to my local GP and explained him what Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency was.
I have to Say I hate Hospitals, in my Childhood I had to visit my Mother so often in the Hospital that I nearly got sick when I smelled this particular Smell a Hospital seems to have ( the Health issues my Mum had back then where not even Alpha1 related ) .
It was not easy back then  to go up to the Beaumont and follow through with that Appointment but the Atmosphere here is completely different It was kind of a positive Charged Atmosphere ,  I have no real words to describe it but I trusted what the Doctors and Nurses gave me as a advice and  I got my follow up Appointment for the Next Year . So now for over 7 Years I'm visiting the Alpha 1 organisation .
 I get my lungs checked out , the nurses/Doctors know me they know the History etc etc . I'm always try to go the the patient Conference and I think the Work that Team is doing is just absolutely AMAZING.
I Saw on Facebook now that the Irish Alpha One Foundation  ( http://www.alpha1.ie/ ) has it's 10 Year anniversary . I really want o congratulate them for their great Work and Help they are providing , so with that Many Thanks to Alpha1 Ireland and  I will think occasionally about you Guys when I do my 10 Mile run tomorrow !