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Real Life Example Name: Dan Age: 19 years "I always felt different from the other kids at school. I had loads of time off because my asthma was really bad. Some of the others had asthma but they didn't seem to be off school like me. The teachers weren't very sympathetic because the others didn't miss school, so why did I have to if it was 'just asthma'? It made it harder for me with studying. I always seemed to be catching up. I joined this pen-pals club through our local asthma charity. I started writing to this girl Ann who was in the same boat. It helped me a lot to know I wasn't the only one. Ann had all the same sorts of problems with school as me. We made a pact. We both got through our exams and now go to the same university". Comments In this example, we see how Dan's severe asthma made him feel different from other children, even those who had milder forms of asthma. His teachers' attitude did not help either and was probably based on ignorance about how much asthma can vary from one person to the next. This emphasises the need for people from all walks of life to be educated about asthma, and not just people with the condition. Having a pen-pal 'in the same boat' helped Dan come to terms with his condition.

Topic "Society and Self" Updated 14th August 2003

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