Living Better Together
Posted on: November 7, 2014Chicago
This post was written by Kevin Littrell.
Kevin serves a Lung Health Educator at the Respiratory Health Association.
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, I am beginning to realize that I only have eight months left with my year of service. The start of November came so fast and I wonder where the past two months went. When I reflect on my time spent with the Respiratory Health Association (RHA), it seems so scattered. Between asthma, tobacco, and practicing presentations I can't choose one word that sums up my time… but I can tell you about the motivation for my time. Being involved with AmeriCorps is an experience to explore the capability of individuals.
Even though November will mark the beginning of chilly ‘L' platforms, it is also National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Month. COPD is a progressive lung disease that is caused by respiratory damage from a combination of various conditions such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and sometimes asthma. COPD, like many other diseases, usually affects all aspects of an individual's life. In addition to difficulty breathing, individuals with COPD have other health issues, or comorbidities, like obesity and sleep apnea. Whether it is their oxygen tank running out or falling, the emotional side of COPD can cause situations of social isolation and depression. Unfortunately, without proper management, COPD can hinder the capability of living a normal life.
In America there are roughly 24 million people living with COPD, usually over the age of 40, but over half of those individuals are undiagnosed. While the idea of over half of the population of the third leading cause of death in the USA are living undiagnosed may seem alarming for some, the RHA views it as a capacitation for education. Every November the RHA holds an educational COPD conference called'Living Better Together." This conference is focused on improving the quality of life for anyone affected by COPD. It not only addresses education about COPD and managing COPD, but also encourages the capability of an active, normal lifestyle through activities such as Thai Chi and Breathing. This year the conference will take place on November 18th.
These events make being a part of the RHA and Chicago Health Corps incredibly rewarding. Starting with an educational role and being included into someone's support group highlights the impact that being the Lung Health Educator has on the community. I am able to hear about activities that COPD patients are now capable of doing again and how they plan to support others as well.