Karen Anderton, Dublin
When I think of asthma in my life, I have two distinct impressions of it - my life with asthma as a kid and asthma as an adult.
When I was diagnosed with asthma I was around 8 years of age. Suddenly everything had to change, blanket for duvets (which I much preferred anyway!), hypoallergenic pillows instead of feather filled, dust free zones, and goat's milk which I had a huge aversion to, particularly the powdered variety when the fresh milk was not to be found! Another change I remember occurred in school.
I was suddenly "different" because I had asthma. I was the only kid in school with it at the time- it was the 70's! I was also made feel different then too, as everyday t the same time I had to take my 2 inhalers, leaving 5 minutes between each one - one tasted of soap, the other was slightly sweet. I used to do this in the school toilets rather then at my desk which I am sure is the case now. The other kids always wanted know what was in my little bag which I used to carry my inhalers in. For some reason I felt embarrassed about it and wouldn’t tell them. This passed, and over time it wasn’t such a big deal anymore.
Those days are far behind me. I was one of the lucky ones and I still am. As long as I didn’t run too much or laugh too much or get myself into a dusty situation, I would be fine. It’s still the same today. But I do everything I can to control it. I know my limitations but I am amazed at how much I can achieve and I certainly have achieved a lot between travelling, glacier trekking, mountaineering, tree hopping, cycling, walking, parachuting, paragliding, white water rafting and snorkelling. Whenever I find myself getting out of breath I slow down, and make myself breathe really slowly and consistently until I get my breath back and any pain subsides. Only then, if I need to, I use my inhaler.
There are tow things I want to master thought and these are my challenges for the future - run more without getting so out of breath and scuba dive. And I will do both, because I feel, that asthma can be controlled and you can live your life without limits as long as you take good care. Laughing is a whole other matter! You have to laugh, so I don't mind if that gets me out of breath! The hardest thing about asthma for me... is spelling it!
