April 23rd 2024.
Belinda Dowling, a devastated mother, fondly remembers her son Warren as a cheeky and happy boy. However, her heart still aches for him, a year after his sudden passing due to an asthma attack. She believes that there needs to be more awareness around this disease that took her son's life.
It was a typical day in March when 10-year-old Warren collapsed and stopped breathing. Just before that, he had been fine at school and playing with his younger brother on the trampoline. Belinda recalls that he had asked for his inhaler after playing outside, but it didn't seem to work. Before she could even call for an ambulance, Warren turned blue and stopped breathing. His father immediately performed CPR, but unfortunately, nothing could be done to save him.
Belinda's world shattered in that moment, realizing how quickly life can change. She says that Warren was a happy child, always with a cheeky smile on his face, even when getting scolded. His siblings have all been coping in their own ways, but the memory of Warren still comes up randomly. His 7-year-old brother Cameron recently asked why Warren didn't come back to play on the trampoline with him, like he had promised.
Now, Belinda wants to raise awareness about the seriousness of asthma. She believes that not enough is being done to educate people about this condition, and she doesn't want anyone else to go through the pain her family has experienced. Warren's story could potentially help others, and she knows that he would be happy about that.
Unfortunately, not much has changed in the past decade since the National Review of Asthma Deaths in 2013. Asthma and Lung UK states that more than 12,000 people in the UK have died from asthma attacks since then. This report highlighted the preventable nature of most asthma deaths and suggested steps that could be taken to save lives. Belinda wants to prevent another tragedy like her son's passing by raising awareness about this illness.
Asthma and Lung UK's head of policy and external affairs, Sarah MacFadyen, calls the current state of asthma care a crisis. She says that people with asthma are not receiving the care they need, resulting in the UK having one of the worst asthma death rates in Europe. She believes that with better care, support, and investment in research, lives could be saved, and the impact on health services could be reduced.
The Department of Health and Social Care states that the government is working to improve services for people with chronic conditions like asthma, ensuring they live longer and healthier lives. They have established a lung health checks program and clinical networks to improve lung services across the country. Additionally, they are looking into chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, as part of their Major Conditions Strategy.
Belinda is not the only grieving mother fighting for change. Another mother is campaigning to make inhalers free in England after her 25-year-old son died from an asthma attack last year.
In the event of an asthma attack, St John Ambulance charity shares some tips on what to do. The signs and symptoms of an attack include difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing, a tight chest, distress and anxiety, and difficulty speaking. If you witness someone having an attack, reassure them and ask them to take their inhaler. Sit them down in a comfortable position and monitor their breathing and response. If the attack is severe, call for emergency help and continue to assist with the inhaler until help arrives.
Belinda urges anyone experiencing an asthma attack to seek urgent medical attention and get an appointment with their GP or asthma nurse. She hopes that by spreading awareness and educating people about asthma, she can prevent another tragedy like her son's passing.
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