Asthma victims remembered on special day

TEN years ago, Swords native Graham Rothwell lost his brother Michael to an asthma attack.

On May 1, the Asthma Society of Ireland marked World Asthma Day, with a campaign to highlight the ongoing tragedy of deaths from the condition and launched their new asthma emergency information pack.

Graham took the opportunity to express his family’s feelings on losing his brother.

“Michael was full of life,

? he said.

“Himself, myself and our other brother Keith would get up to all sorts of things you’d expect a group of young lads to get up to.

“The day he suffered his asthma attack and died was the worst day of our lives.

Understanding

“Our family has never been the same and now I have young children of my own, I have a much clearer understanding of how our parents must have felt losing their son to something so preventable.

?

Graham added that by talking about Michael it might encourage people to have a greater understanding of how to live with and manage asthma.

?

It is 25 years this year since Anne Robinson lost her eldest son Alex and since then she has been working tirelessly with the Asthma Society of Ireland to alert other parents to the hidden dangers.

Devastated

“We were devastated when Alex died,

? she said.

“We knew he had asthma but didn’t realise how bad it was or that it could be fatal.

“The medication Alex was on wasn’t strong enough, at the time there wasn’t enough of an emphasis on preventative medicine and the focus was more on relief.

?

Ms Robinson said there was nothing anyone could do when Alex collapsed.

Awareness

“I still miss Alex every day and I hope that by talking about my own experience we can raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies in the future,

? she added.

A total of 400 people attend the Emergency Department every week because of an asthma attack and tragically one person dies every week in Ireland.

Dr Jean Holohan, chief executive of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said 50 asthma related deaths a year was too high.

“These deaths are so tragic and affect families, friends and entire communities,

? Dr Holohan stated.

“Asthma can be well controlled in the majority of people.

“Our services to patients such as the Asthma Advice Line, regional Asthma Clinics and asthma education in the form of booklets and on the website, and asthma training for schools, community groups and healthcare professionals ensure that asthma patients have the information they need to reduce their symptoms and improve asthma control.

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Dr Holohan is urging everyone with asthma to speak to their healthcare professional about ways to improve their asthma control and to download the Asthma Attack Card from www.asthmasociety.ie or by calling 1850 44 54 64.