Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis was unlike most kids growing up. He was bigger, faster, tougher, and more athletic than most of his classmates, but that’s not really what set him apart from his peers. Bettis, appropriately nicknamed “The Bus” by
Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis was unlike most kids growing up.
He was bigger, faster, tougher, and more athletic than most of his classmates, but that’s not really what set him apart from his peers.
Bettis, appropriately nicknamed “The Bus” by NFL analysts, has fought a lifelong battle with asthma. And it was the adjustments he made in his lifestyle through the years that have led to nearly 11,000 rushing yards in 10 often brilliant seasons with the Steelers.
The Kauai Branch of the American Lung Association of Hawaii use examples set by professional athletes like Bettis to encourage children with asthma to participate in sports despite their condition. The organization will hold its fourth “Asthma Sports Day Camp” for the Keiki at Lydgate State Park June 28-30 in a continuing effort to teach children how to manage asthma while playing team sports and other recreational activities.
“This is really a fun way to help children understand they can still play sports even with their condition,” said Deb Tomesko RN, Kauai Branch Director for the Lung Association. “We want to teach them that if they recognize their symptoms and know their triggers, they can be active just like everyone else.”
Tomesko said Kaua’i has the highest death rate for asthma in the State of Hawaii. She also said that in a test performed on 600 Kapa’a Elementary School students in recent history, 200 of them suffered from asthma.
“It’s a big problem on Kaua’i, especially since we live in a wet and rainy environment,” said Tomesko.
Mold and mildew caused by excessive rain can trigger asthma symptoms, along with smoking, dust, cockroach infestations and strong emotions, to name a few.
“If athletes can learn how to identify what triggers their symptoms, they can learn to manage sports along with other aspects of daily life,” Tomesco said.
Bettis isn’t the only professional athlete who found a way to manage asthma symptoms in sports. Olympic track and field phenom Jackie Joyner Kersee suffers from asthma, along with swimmers Amy Van Dyken and Tom Dolan. In the recent summer Olympics in Atlanta, 20 athletes who stood on the gold medal platform are said to suffer from asthma.
Currently, the Kauai Branch for the Lung Association is searching for volunteers to participate in the three-day sports camp slated for June.
“We need volunteers to assist with the Kauai Camp for 25 children Island-wide this summer,” said Tomesko. “We need volunteers in a number of specialties, as physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacists. We also need people to oversee sports clinics, to act as counselors and asthma educators, and even to help with our registration and administrative work. There’s plenty to do, but it’s worth the effort.”
At the camp, kids will swim, play volleyball and other sports; learn about Hawaiian culture and games; and participate in various arts and crafts activities. Lunch and refreshments is provided throughout the day. Every participant receives a camp T-shirt, duffel bag, toys and prizes. A special parent session is included to teach families how to becom involved in their children’s asthma management plan.
A registration fee of $20 is required for the camp, and includes all activities, refreshments and gifts.
For more information or to register, call 245-4142.
