Register for Information Toolkit for Parents Glossary Sitemap Contact Us

•  

mary joe's story

 

I feel fortunate to have overcome my asthma challenges to achieve my tennis dreams. And from what I've learned as Nicholas' mom, you and your child can manage asthma to achieve your dreams, too.

As a parent of a child diagnosed with asthma, my advice is to treat it like a wake-up call. That diagnosis should throw you into action. Take charge of the situation to get your child's asthma under control to the best of your ability! To do that, you have to become your son or daughter's best advocate...their champion against asthma.

My parents had to be my best advocates by taking me to repeated doctors' visits as a teenager before getting an actual diagnosis that yes, I had asthma. At the time of diagnosis, my healthcare provider gave me a rescue medication to always carry with me, and I did. I would keep my puffer in my towel when I was on the courts and use it in between sets. I'm fortunate to say I went on to lead a very successful career as one of the world's top singles and doubles tennis players – an achievement I may not have accomplished without getting my asthma under control.

When Nicholas came along, I started recognizing some of the same symptoms in him that I'd felt as a child – wheezing, complaints of tightness in his chest. I knew in my gut that it was asthma, so I took him to his pediatrician and asked him to test for asthma. When we got the official diagnosis, I made a vow that I would do whatever was best for Nicholas' asthma control. My commitment to getting the right care just seemed natural, an extension of my love and concern for his well-being. I think all parents want to do what's right for their child, but sometimes it isn't always obvious what that "right" thing may be.

Having lived with asthma, maybe I can help shed some light by sharing some tips and resources to aid in your quest for the appropriate asthma care for your child. Before our appointment with Nicholas' healthcare provider, I did my research to learn about the options available with asthma medications. This knowledge gave me the confidence I needed to ask educated questions of Nicholas' pediatrician to assure he would get the best asthma care. I would strongly recommend other parents do their research so they can have a similar conversation with their child's healthcare provider.

My asthma treatment plan has evolved over the years and I take a different medicine today. To help you evolve your child's treatment plan, you can use the Parents' Tool Kit. The Parents' Tool Kit is an easy, condensed resource that can help you prepare for your child's visits with his or her healthcare provider. The contents in the Tool Kit will help you identify and organize important information that you may want to share with the healthcare provider so that they can make the treatment recommendation or adjustment that is right for your child.

Since I had been extremely happy with my current treatment plan, I eventually asked the pediatrician if it would be right for Nicholas. And sure enough, the pediatrician and I both agreed my treatment plan could have very similar successful outcomes for Nicholas. And it has!

It is a huge relief to my husband and me to feel confident that we've done everything we can to help control Nicholas' asthma. His relief is our relief as parents!

All the best to you and your family! – MJ