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.