Beating Asthma

by Shelley White

It began when I was five years old
Tucked up in bed at night
I had a cough, I couldn't breathe,
It gave me such a fright.

My mum came rushing up the stairs
Cried 'What's the matter son?'
I couldn't find the breath to speak
My chest it weighed a ton.

Next night it was the same again
Despite some cough medicine
No breath, no voice, no strength-just fear
My head began to swim.

The doctor said 'A wheezy chest
Is quite a common problem
But don't despair, you'll be all right
By following this system.

I know your asthma is no fun
But drugs help make it better.
Just remember be careful to
Follow instructions to the letter.'

Inhalers treat most people
Of brands there's quite a few
But the most usual types
Are coloured brown and blue.

Brown inhaler for prevention
Used morning and at night
Stopped attacks of breathlessness
Once I learned to take it right.

The secret's take a deep breath in
While pressing the inhaler
Or else it may not do its job
And it could be a failure.

Blue inhaler for relieving
Was taken as and when-
Before I started doing sport
Or exercising in the gym.

From time to time at night
My wheezing would get worse
This proved to be a sign
To see the practice nurse.

'We may need to up your dosage
So take a breath and blow
Into this special meter
That measures your peak-flow.'

So now I take a little more
They've got the balance right
No longer need I worry
Cos Sports' Day is in sight!

When I get a cold or cough
Or at hay fever time
I just take my inhaler
And then I will be fine.

The other thing I need to do
In October or November
Is get a flu jab from the nurse
To ward off influenza.

Asthma doesn't mean to say
You'll be the odd one out-
You still can run and jump
You still can sing and shout.

Asthma doesn't mean to say
You can't win admiration-
You just have to remember
To take your medication.

So don't be sad- be special-
You can stand out from the crowd.
Play football, swim or learn to dance
Or play your trumpet loud!