About Me.

 

I’m The Asthma Girl.

I’m  18 years old.

I’m going to change the world.

I’m homeschooled due to my breathing issues.

I want to create a place for children and teens with Asthma to talk openly about their struggles.

I used to think I wanted to be a doctor, so that I could help others get their breathing under control. What I have realized is that I can do just as much good as a face of the disease. Bringing awareness to it through sharing my story. Helping raise money for research. Just being there for others going through the same thing. No one should have to go through what I have been through.

For more information on me, feel free to read the following article written by the American Lung Association.

Madi, whose asthma is so severe that she has been home schooled throughout high school, is a member of the former Asthma Walk committee and the current Fight for Air Run/Walk committee. She has worked to generate significant funds and awareness through Facebook, Twitter and pledge-based event websites. An avid community theater actress, Madi donated the proceeds of a performance to the American Lung Association. She also spearheaded a Lung Association garage sale to support the Run/Walk; and she is currently taking senior class photos, presenting the entire photo session on a CD, for a donation to the American Lung Association in the Southeast.

In 2009, Madi served as the associations Asthma Walk Family Chair; and this year together with her family, she served as Family Chair of the Fight for Air Run/Walk in Jacksonville on August 27, 2011. In 2010 Madi served as Christmas Seal Chair for the Northeast Florida Christmas Seal campaign, receiving wide publicity including a proclamation from Mayor John Peyton recognizing the importance of the Lung Associations mission. A compelling public speaker, Madi served as mission speaker at the Oxygen Ball on April 16, 2011, generating $26,000 to support the Lung Association.

Madi submitted the following Letter to the Editor to the Florida Times-Union last December when she served as chair of the local Northeast Florida Christmas Seal Campaign:

“As a 17 year old living with asthma, I am passionate about what we can all do to help improve the lung health of those in our city. Citizens of every age deserve every opportunity to succeed and thrive, both in their careers and in their personal lives. For this reason, I am proud to serve as the chairperson for the 2010 American Lung Associations Christmas Seal® Campaign. Together, we can help the American Lung Association achieve their mission of improving lung health and preventing lung disease, while making Jacksonville a healthier place to live.”

Madi works closely with the regional program manager to serve as a spokesperson and role model for youth and adults with asthma and for the community at large. She was a speaker at a citywide Asthma Symposium, hosted by the Community Asthma Partnership at Wolfson Childrens Hospital in March. Madi’s outlook and message are positive yet realistic. “Asthma doesnt rule my life, but it does play a big part in it. Having asthma has taught me a lot of things, like how important it is to live every day to its fullest. Although my asthma is severe, I still act like a typical teenager, just with a lot more precautions. I want to show people that having asthma is not the end of the world, it is just something that you have to take seriously and deal with every day.”