3.25.17 Primary Interviews

I discussed with others about dealing with asthma in grade school, and how they transitioned to self-care.

Interviewee 1

Believed his asthmatic records were on file, but never had an attack at school

Didn’t have chronic asthma, but was enhanced as he got sick.

Can’t exercise for extended periods of time, i.e., never running distance in track practice or playing basketball for too long. Still played sports, but coach helped him breathe when having trouble.

Sister (nurse) taught him how to check his pulse

Having an inhaler made it safer for him to walk home on his own(which was close anyways)

“In through your nose, out through your mouth”

“well i never gave [my inhaler] to the nurses because if i was having an asthma attack, i didn’t trust them to get to me in time. i just kept them in my backpack”

“I’ve been extremely independent in my life. they took care of the big things and i took care of the little things”

Interviewee 2

Got asthma attacks, especially when running too much. Would use his inhaler more often as a child, but got around to using it less in the later years

Teachers thought he “[sucked] at running” fifth grade — kids thought he couldn’t run/was weak

Mom knew his asthma symptoms the most. People didn’t perceive it as a serious condition.

Learned about his own asthma through trial and error

“My parents didn’t know how to handle asthma”

“I didn’t really know what asthma was”

“The teachers/school nurses didn’t know, but I didn’t care”

Interviewee 3

At four years old, parents thought child was too young to take care of themselves.

Teachers weren’t super involved with the care, mostly relied on her mom since there wasn’t much they could do. Mother would take care and take her home when necessary