Putting asthma in perspective - Make a Wish Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week, I was lucky enough to join a friend whose daughter was receiving her wish from Make A Wish foundation. 

 

The staff there showed us how the kids decide on a wish, then go inside a tower with a waterfall in the middle of the room to place their wish in a capsule.

Some kids wish for trips to Disneyworld or Hawaii. Others want a puppy or a laptop. One cute little toddler wanted his room to look like a fire station.

But the hardest part on reading the stories of these children and teenagers is to see why they were there in the first place. 

 

Some wish recipients had bone cancer, brain tumors, cystic fibrosis, leukemia, etc. Some stories ended by listing the child's death date. 

 

Yes, my kids all have severe asthma, but they're still alive! Don't get me wrong - asthma can be deadly. My son was in ICU twice with asthma. 

 

Last month, there was a story on the news about a "48 Hours" news reporter Harold Dow who died of an asthma attack while driving his car. 

 

They found his inhaler on the floor of the car. 

Anytime your kids are suffering, it can break your heart. Asthma is a chronic, life long disease for most people. I tell people my main goal with my kid's asthma is to keep them alive. People laugh, but it's true. 

 

No matter how bad things get for our family  (12 hospitalizations for asthma during a 3 or 4 years period) they can always be worse. Having a child with asthma doesn't compare to having a child with bone cancer, leukemia, brain tumors, cystic fibrosis, etc. 

 

Sending love and good vibes to the parents of a child with a Make A Wish. 

 

It makes me look at my own life and keep things in perspective.

And to Make A Wish Foundation - keep up the good work! 

 

You are making the last days for some of these children their happiest days.