Did you have a lot of tests, and what were they like?

I had a pin test where they injected (under my skin) tiny amounts of the stuff that can cause allergies. I had that test because allergies can cause the symptoms of asthma or make asthma worse. They also put a "sleeve" on my finger to measure the amount of oxygen in my blood. And I had to blow as hard and as long as I could into a peak flow meter so they could figure out how well my lungs work.

As an athlete, what is the most challenging thing about managing your asthma?

Knowing when to take my inhalers and remembering which one is for sports is challenging, but it is a lot easier now. Also, coming out of a soccer game to take my medicines is hard because I love to play the game.

What does it feel like when you have an asthma flare-up? Some people describe it as "like breathing through a straw" or "drowning above water."

I actually have never had a real flare-up, but when I have breathing trouble, my throat loses the moist feeling. I feel like no air will go through or down my throat, like a boulder rolled over my throat blocking air. Like someone once said about having asthma, "I feel like a fish out of water."

SAVE THE CHILDREN

Save the children, save the children
All the children everywhere.

Hug them, teach them, make them proud
STAND UP and show you care

Children are working and getting scars,
Some children are getting hurt in wars

We as children have many rights
To guide us and protect us and shape our dreams at night
Family, shelter, clothing food and water
Education makes our brains much smarter

poetry

i think I need a tissue, I am just about to sneeze
My eyes begin to water as suddenly I freeze
My mouth is completely open awaiting the relief
When at that glorious moment it disappeared like a thief

Then suddenly again I feel a little wheeze
Oh yes.... oh yes....
I feel another sneeze~ It's such a heavenly moment
My heart just stopped it's beat
I feel it coming on now I'm lifting off my feet
A...A...A...ACHOOOOOOOOOO!

Silly Footprints

I spent years
searching for a
six-footed camel.
I'd never seen it,
but I knew it existed,
'Cause I'd seen
its footprints
in the sand,
but every time
I got close,
I missed it.

I studied its
footprints in the hot,
summer sun
and everything
seemed just fine
until I realized
four footprints were his
and two of them
were mine!