Kyle C.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hello my name is Kyle Clarke and I am 12 years old. I live with asthma every day! I was diagnosed with asthma at 4 years old. I was too young at that time to know what it meant…all I knew is that I couldn’t breathe so well sometimes!
Over the years I have learned a lot about Asthma and how to manage it better. I have learned how to control it through my many medications, exercise and avoiding things I am allergic to.
Over the years my Doctors and the Credit Valley Hospital Asthma Education Department - have helped me understand and manage my asthma better.
They have helped me keep my Asthma under control so I can do all the things I love to do and live an active life and play all the sports I love!!!
Even though I have asthma I don’t let it stop me from doing the things I love to do!!
One of the things I love to do most is play hockey!
I am Captain of the AAA Mississauga Rebels Peewee hockey team. This will be my 3rd year with the Rebels….but I have played elite hockey since I was 5.
I am on the ice about 4-6 times a week. And I do not let Asthmas stop me from playing!
I believe staying active helps me stay fit and also helps me control my Asthma.
My love of hockey keeps me going- especially sometimes when I don’t feel like I can.
My battle against Asthma hasn’t been easy over the years.
I have been hospitalized 4 times over the past 4 years-- for a week or more each time.
I have also made many trips to the Emergency Room…because I couldn’t breathe and my puffers weren’t helping!
I have to say- that is the scariest feeling…not being able to get a breath!!!
At times I felt like I was going to die!
Even though I have had some difficult episodes with my Asthma this year…
I feel that I have a better control of it.
And this year I was not admitted to the hospital for the first time in 4 years! For me -this is a victory!!!
I would like to send one message to parents and their kids living with Asthma….
Being diagnosed with Asthma doesn’t mean your life is over-
-it doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the things you love!
It may be more difficult day to day…but you can control it
– you can live an active, healthy productive life!
You just have to learn how to manage it.
Parents: please let your kids participate in the sports they Love! It can only help them!