In recent years scientists have shown that air pollution from cars, factories and power plants is a major cause of asthma attacks. Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening, chronic airway disorder that affects the quality of life for almost 25 million Americans, including an estimated 7 million children. The number of asthma cases in the U.S. has doubled since 1980, and now affects 1 in 10 children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As a mother of a child with asthma I know fear, anxiety and asthma are at times synonymous. I live with the knowledge and the fear that if an asthma attack isn’t controlled it could be deadly. Asthma kills 5,000 people every year in the United States.
Moms Fight for Their Children
I am not alone. There are countless mothers of children with asthma who have felt that fear. We are an inspired bunch, and many of us are environmental activists and champions for our children. We know that we need to do everything within our power to prevent that next asthma attack.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has a son with asthma.
“My 13 year old son Brian has fought with asthma his entire life. Over the years, there have been a countless number of sleepless nights when I’ve awoken to the sounds of his croup…years of traveling with Brian’s nebulizer, his masks, and his medications…years of being extra careful when it’s hot outside or when other environmental triggers are present. As his mother, that has also meant years of sending Brian to school everyday and wondering if he would have an attack while I wasn’t there to help him.”
Robyn O’Brien, Author, activist and concerned mom, has 4 children ages 7, 9, 10 and 12.
“The landscape of childhood has changed. And today, 1 in 3 American children now have one of the “4As”: asthma, autism, allergies or ADHD. But with mounting scientific evidence highlighting the impact that environmental toxins and pollutants are having on the health of our little ones, we are quickly learning that there is so much that we can do to protect them. And while none of us can do everything, all of us can do something. And if we leverage our collective talents and abilities, we can begin to clear these toxins from their environment, one important step at a time.”
Gina Carroll, Author, speaker, and mother of five.
“As a young adult, I hope that when she is a mother, the world is kinder to people with respiratory challenges so that her own children won’t have to gasp for air and wheeze their way through the world. “Kinder” must mean that we all, individuals and corporations, prioritize cleaning up our emissions and hold each other responsible.”
Kimberly Pinkson founder of EcoMom Alliance is a mother of a child with asthma.
“In our household, we’ve created a morning tradition that includes giving thanks for the sun coming up every day. It reminds us how lucky we are to be alive, and for the miracles of life all around. Some days though, it’s harder to see the sunrise. “Bad Air Days” they’re called, and the morning news shows remind us not to have fires, and to drive less. As the mother of a child who has struggled with asthma, I understand even more than before that first time I had to rush him to the doctor’s, the importance of clean air. I know that as mothers, we must do everything we can to reduce air pollution so our children can breathe…and stay alive. Every breath we take is a blessing, and I dream of a day when newscasters must no longer announce bad air days, and when every day is a clean air day and our children run and play in fields of green, and skies of blue.”
Our children can’t fight for themselves. Please join the thousands of mothers who know what’s best for their children.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION WITH MOMS CLEAN AIR FORCE
Photo © Anatoly Tiplyashin #1210830