Asthma – from the sufferers' viewpoint

Tu Tangata, Issue 35, 1 April 1987, Page 20

Asthma - from the sufferers' viewpoint

Sally 12

You see I got this asthma. Thats what Maoris get. Maoris get that because they were made with skinny breathing tubes but Pakehas didn’t. Some pakehas get skinny tubes but most of them have big ones. When you have skinny tubes the air going in bumps into the air going out so you can’t breath. When I could not breath I went to hospital. I had air in a tube with a mask. I was very scared I was by myself and when I looked when I woke up there was all these curtains and I thought “Is this dead”. I got lots of medicine and stuff. I

don’t want my mates to see it. Sometimes I take it at home but most I don’t in case my mates see. Last year I couldn’t play league because I got the asthma. Doctor said to use the stuff, but you can’t use it in the middle of a game - Geeze - My dad laughs he said “Go on son, take a big puff you might turn into a Pakeha if you get big fat tubes - Ha Ha - Well I know I won’t do that I

think, but I don’t know what will happen if I do it wrong. Dear Doctors, My name is Ruby I am 12 years old and I am a Maori and I am a freak. I have got asthma. I know you get mad at me when I go back to hospital when I don’t do what you tell me. I really get scared sometimes because my oldest cousin died from asthma and so did my little

nephew. My cousin was good at doing what she was told and she died. My friends laugh at me if I have to use my inhaler. They call me an “up town sniffer”. I feel shame all the time. At school sometimes the teacher gets mad at me too. Mum helps me. I am sorry I am a bad patient. I know you work hard . I will try and be better. Love from Ruby

Joseph 14 Sure I got Asthma - It’s no sweat. - Just take the dope and it’s cool - Just a pill and a puff that’s about all. I’m going to make a rep side next year no sweat. Doctors say Asthma can knock you out but not me man, not me.

Sometimes I try real hard to do all the doctor says - real hard and at home it’s easy. The nurse told me everything and I know a lot about it like it’s not just Maoris who get it and you can stop it getting bad and you can help yourself a lot. At school though, they lock the classroom at playtime and lunch time so I can’t get my puffer so I can’t play in case I get puffed. If I’ve got pockets it would be better.