A young Australian stand-up comedian has shared a series of videos online poking fun at his terminal respiratory illness while performing in front of live audiences.
Blake Pavey, who has more than 870,000 followers on TikTok, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) when he was just six weeks old.
The 20-year-old, from Melbourne, needs to self-manage himself by taking between 30 to 50 tablets a day, often feels out of breath after exercising and is unable to have children.
Cystic fibrosis is a terminal condition that causes severe damage to the respiratory and digestive system, resulting in thick mucus sticking to the lungs – and patients typically live into their 30s or mid-40s.
Blake told FEMAIL he copes with his condition through humor during his live shows while also raising awareness.
Melbourne comedian Blake Pavey (pictured) was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) when he was just six weeks old. Cystic fibrosis is a terminal condition that causes severe damage to the respiratory and digestive systems, resulting in thick mucus sticking to the lungs
The 20-year-old (pictured left on stage) turns to humor and pokes fun at himself during his comedy shows
In one video shared on Instagram, Blake asks the audience: ‘Are there any other dying people in the room?’ and woman puts her hand up explaining how she has a ‘hereditary family disease’.
The pair banter back and forth before Blake jokingly calls the woman a ‘loser’ because she didn’t receive a ‘Make A Wish’ despite having a terminal disease.
In another clip at a separate show, Blake explains what CF is and the life expectancy is – but then someone can be heard cheering.
Blake laughs and seems shocked, then makes fun of the woman.
‘He’s going to die, let’s go! That was the most positive way to tell me to kill myself,’ he joked.
In one video shared on Instagram, Blake asks the audience: ‘Are there any other dying people in the room?’ and woman puts her hand up explaining how she has a ‘hereditary family disease’
Blake told FEMAIL he copes with his condition through humor during his live shows while also raising awareness
Blake said living with CF feels like ‘breathing through a straw on a daily basis’ because the mucus in the lungs is thicker and becomes ‘trapped’
Blake said living with CF feels like ‘breathing through a straw on a daily basis’ because the mucus in the lungs is thicker and becomes ‘trapped’.
This build-up increases the risk of bacteria and infection in the body, which requires close maintenance and medication.
Blake doesn’t recall the first time he was told he had CF but remembers the ‘toughest moment’ when his parents had to discuss the life expectancy with him.
‘It’s always been something I’ve just had to deal with throughout my life,’ he said.
‘The life expectancy is always in the back of my mind but I try not to focus on it too much. I don’t want to let it control me.’
Blake doesn’t recall the first time he was told he had CF but remembers the ‘toughest moment’ when his parents had to discuss the life expectancy with him. ‘It’s always been something I’ve just had to deal with throughout my life,’ he said
‘My mum and dad weren’t aware they both had the CF gene which was passed on to me. It would’ve been pretty scary for them because they weren’t sure what was wrong with me at first,’ he said
‘My mum and dad weren’t aware they both had the CF gene which was passed on to me. It would’ve been pretty scary for them because they weren’t sure what was wrong with me at first,’ he said.
‘The first six or seven weeks when I was struggling to get to sleep and was in a lot of pain would’ve been the toughest.’
Not only has Blake been hit with the reality that he will likely die young, he may also require a lung transplant in the future to survive.
‘A lot of people with CF tend to need a lung transplant at some point depending on how severe it gets, which is something that is always on the cards,’ he said.
Not only has Blake been hit with the reality that he will likely die young, he may also require a lung transplant in the future to survive
Blake has been able to self-manage the degenerate condition and says it can worsen over time.
He is diligent with health checks and usually visits the doctor every three months.
Blake moved to Melbourne last year to pursue comedy and is now planning a national tour.
On TikTok he’s known for sharing comedic skits and relatable videos – including mimicking what ‘every’ host on different radio stations sounds like and hilarious takes on real-life events.
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