Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

[Guest guest]

I think you're absolutely right!I've got a bunch of " invisible diseases " , and I hear a lot of people talking about how " nobody understands us " ... well, if we HIDE this stuff, nobody's ever GOING to understand us.

I test my blood sugar at my desk, if somebody shows up as I'm about to do it, they get to watch.  When I have to take pills at lunchtime, they get to see how many pills I'm taking.  When I was using a three-times-a-day inhaler, they got to see that, too.  I carry a cane that turns into a three-legged stool for when I can't stand up any more.  When we thought I was allergic to wheat, everybody at work knew about that, too.

Nobody's going to stand up for the rights of the " differently abled " until we stand up for ourselves.  Nobody's going to know we have different needs until we tell them so.  And... these aren't whims, these are NEEDS.  Breathing is one of the very few things in this life that's really not overrated.

I'm not suggesting that we need to be rude about it, but there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, it's not like asthma is the result of a character flaw. 

Thank  you, im glad im not the only one who feels this way!

 

CAROL CARUSO

Re: hiding

> asthma/weakness?

>

>  

>

> I can try to convince

> myself that it is OK to use my inhaler....that most everyone around me already

> knows I have asthma...still, I will leave a room and delay using it rather than

> use it in front of others.  Sad really, but there it is.

>  

> Mike

> McBride

> O God do not leave me. I have done nothing good in your sight,

> but according to your goodness, let me now make a beginning of good. - Abba

> Arsenius

[Guest guest]

For me it really depends on who I am around. At work, I will go in the back room or step outside to use my inhaler...more b/c I dont want to be bothered all day by questions and such. If I am around people that are my friends or I am comfortable around them then I just use it. Dont ask me why, but thats how it is for me too. Its not that Im ashamed or embarrassed because Im not in any way shape or form.

It may have something to do with my asthma being more cough variant...If Im coughing alot I will try to step out of the main area just to get it under control and plus my inhaler is usually in my backpack in the back room at work.

Ann

Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

Thank you, im glad im not the only one who feels this way!

CAROL CARUSO

Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

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[Guest guest]

This better describes how I am. However, even with close friends I may step ionto the restroom or outside. Mike McBride

O God do not leave me. I have done nothing good in your sight, but according to your goodness, let me now make a beginning of good. - Abba Arsenius

To: asthma Sent: Wed, May 19, 2010 6:23:25 PMSubject: Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

For me it really depends on who I am around. At work, I will go in the back room or step outside to use my inhaler...more b/c I dont want to be bothered all day by questions and such. If I am around people that are my friends or I am comfortable around them then I just use it. Dont ask me why, but thats how it is for me too. Its not that Im ashamed or embarrassed because Im not in any way shape or form.

It may have something to do with my asthma being more cough variant...If Im coughing alot I will try to step out of the main area just to get it under control and plus my inhaler is usually in my backpack in the back room at work.

Ann

Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

Thank you, im glad im not the only one who feels this way! CAROL CARUSO Re: hiding asthma/weakness?> > > > > <image.tiff>> > > > >

[Guest guest]

exactly! Thank you

CAROL CARUSO

To: asthma Sent: Wed, May 19, 2010 6:24:34 PMSubject: Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

I think you're absolutely right!I've got a bunch of "invisible diseases", and I hear a lot of people talking about how "nobody understands us"... well, if we HIDE this stuff, nobody's ever GOING to understand us.I test my blood sugar at my desk, if somebody shows up as I'm about to do it, they get to watch. When I have to take pills at lunchtime, they get to see how many pills I'm taking. When I was using a three-times- a-day inhaler, they got to see that, too. I carry a cane that turns into a three-legged stool for when I can't stand up any more. When we thought I was allergic to wheat, everybody at work knew about that, too.Nobody's going to stand up for the rights of the "differently abled" until we stand up for ourselves. Nobody's going to know we have different needs until we tell them so. And... these aren't whims, these are NEEDS. Breathing is one of the very few things in this

life that's really not overrated. :)I'm not suggesting that we need to be rude about it, but there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, it's not like asthma is the result of a character flaw.

On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 9:30 AM, carol caruso <ladyvamp5489@ yahoo.com> wrote:

Thank you, im glad im not the only one who feels this way! CAROL CARUSO

Re: hiding> asthma/weakness?>> >> I can try to convince> myself that it is OK to use my inhaler....that most everyone around me already> knows I have asthma...still, I will leave a room and delay using it rather than> use it in front of others. Sad really, but there it is.> > Mike> McBride> O God do not leave me. I have done nothing good in your sight,> but according to your goodness, let me now make a beginning of good. - Abba> Arsenius

[Guest guest]

IMO questions from others is how they learn about our needs and such. Thats the only way ppl are going to know what bothers us and can help reduce those triggers.

CAROL CARUSO

To: asthma Sent: Wed, May 19, 2010 7:23:25 PMSubject: Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

For me it really depends on who I am around. At work, I will go in the back room or step outside to use my inhaler...more b/c I dont want to be bothered all day by questions and such. If I am around people that are my friends or I am comfortable around them then I just use it. Dont ask me why, but thats how it is for me too. Its not that Im ashamed or embarrassed because Im not in any way shape or form.

It may have something to do with my asthma being more cough variant...If Im coughing alot I will try to step out of the main area just to get it under control and plus my inhaler is usually in my backpack in the back room at work.

Ann

Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

Thank you, im glad im not the only one who feels this way! CAROL CARUSO Re: hiding asthma/weakness?> > > > > <image.tiff>> > > > >

[Guest guest]

I use my nebulizer at my desk while I still work. It seems to be amusing to the group of folks that I work with. I will also use my inhaler when some dumb butt decides that the office needs some freshing up with air freshner or they need to use hand sanitizer instead of going to the restroom and wash their hands. I have two air purifiers and one large fan on the ground to blow the strong scents away. I just do what I have to do.

Melinda

To: asthma Sent: Wed, May 19, 2010 10:23:25 PMSubject: Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

For me it really depends on who I am around. At work, I will go in the back room or step outside to use my inhaler...more b/c I dont want to be bothered all day by questions and such. If I am around people that are my friends or I am comfortable around them then I just use it. Dont ask me why, but thats how it is for me too. Its not that Im ashamed or embarrassed because Im not in any way shape or form.

It may have something to do with my asthma being more cough variant...If Im coughing alot I will try to step out of the main area just to get it under control and plus my inhaler is usually in my backpack in the back room at work.

Ann

Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

Thank you, im glad im not the only one who feels this way! CAROL CARUSO Re: hiding asthma/weakness?> > > > > <image.tiff>> > > > >

[Guest guest]

This is all very true. I am a very private person. Most people, co-workers included, don't know that much about me. I do not want to deal with the questions as I feel my privacy is being invaded. On the other hand, should someone come in with heavy perfume, burn incense, etc, I am not afraid to let them know that I have lung issues that may be impacted by their actions and to ask them to please refrain. I leave it at that and have had very good success doing this. As with all advice on this list, each person's application may be different. I appreciate the input as it gives me food for thought. Mike McBride

To: asthma Sent: Thu, May 20, 2010 7:03:58 AMSubject: Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

IMO questions from others is how they learn about our needs and such. Thats the only way ppl are going to know what bothers us and can help reduce those triggers.

CAROL CARUSO

From: "FFTaz71aol (DOT) com" <FFTaz71aol (DOT) com>To: asthmayahoogroups (DOT) comSent: Wed, May 19, 2010 7:23:25 PMSubject: Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

For me it really depends on who I am around. At work, I will go in the back room or step outside to use my inhaler...more b/c I dont want to be bothered all day by questions and such. If I am around people that are my friends or I am comfortable around them then I just use it. Dont ask me why, but thats how it is for me too. Its not that Im ashamed or embarrassed because Im not in any way shape or form.

It may have something to do with my asthma being more cough variant...If Im coughing alot I will try to step out of the main area just to get it under control and plus my inhaler is usually in my backpack in the back room at work.

Ann

Re: hiding asthma/weakness?

Thank you, im glad im not the only one who feels this way! CAROL CARUSO Re: hiding asthma/weakness?> > > > > <image.tiff>> > > > >

[Guest guest]

I was working today (supply teacher), and quite a few of the kids were spraying body spray as it's about 25 degrees today, whcih is quite hot by UK standards. In one class, one lad immediately told the other not to as "miss might have asthma"!! I didn't say anything, but it did make me laugh how right he was without knowing!At least all the windows were open with it being hot (very few of our schools have air con, as it'd be so expensive to fit, especially as it is really only needed for a few weeks each year)JennTha can tek t'lass outta Yorkshire...! Don't brand me, don't classify me, don't tell me what to wear. I'll be who I want to be, and I'm proud to be me.> >

> WOW i

have used mine in > public for years! Others dont notice or say anything. I dont care if they see > me , i have an illness that required me to take it so i do when i need to even > if it is in public. PLEASE dont hide it , it can open doors for others to > realize others can have issues with smells and things they do and maybe they > will think twice before exposing others to it. I have found ppl i know or my > friends have changed how and where they wear things or smoke just cuz they > realize others can be affected by it.> > > CAROL > CARUSO> > > > > > From: > McBride <> href="mailto:mike.dmcbride@ yahoo.com">mike.dmcbride@ yahoo.com>> > To: > href="mailto:asthmayahoogroups (DOT) com">asthmayahoogroups (DOT) com> Sent: > Wed, May 19, 2010 7:41:59 AM> Subject: Re: hiding > asthma/weakness?> > > > I can try to convince > myself that it is OK to use my inhaler....that most everyone around me already > knows I have asthma...still, I will leave a room and delay using it rather than > use it in front of others. Sad really, but there it is.> > Mike >

McBride> O God do not

leave me. I have done nothing good in your sight, > but according to your goodness, let me now make a beginning of good. - Abba > Arsenius> > > <image.tiff>> > From: > A Hill <jennthefunkyranger@ yahoo.co. uk>> To: > asthmayahoogroups (DOT) com> Sent: Tue, May 18, 2010 11:46:10 PM> > Subject: Re: hiding asthma/weakness?> > > > > <image.tiff>> > > > >