AsthmaPersonal stories: Faces of asthma
Faces of Asthma - Richie
Richie, from Merritt, British Columbia, isn't one to let his asthma slow him down. Richie has had trouble with his breathing for most of his life, but he takes care to avoid his asthma triggers and follows his doctor's instructions carefully to ensure that his asthma is well-managed and under control. Richie has an asthma action plan he follows, and he's not going to let asthma rule his busy life.
Richie has been a lifelong educator, working as a teacher, principal and school superintendent in British Columbia's beautiful Nicola Valley, where he and his wife Deanna have lived for almost forty years, and where they raised their three sons, Brad, Colin and Warren, all of whom are now chiropractors practicing in British Columbia.
Lung health has always been on Richie's mind, and in 1981 he was drafted at a Merritt Rotary Club meeting to join the British Columbia Lung Association as its regional volunteer Christmas Seal Committee Chairman. His job was to help the Lung Association promote lung health in the area and to assist with organizing and publicizing the local Christmas Seal Campaign. It was a job he took seriously in between his commitments as a member of City Council and Assistant Superintendent of the school district. Richie's commitment and enthusiasm was quickly recognized and he was soon asked to join the provincial Board of Directors of the BC Lung Association.
From there, Richie went on to become the British Columbia Lung Association's President for two terms, and also joined the Board of Directors of the Canadian Lung Association, where he served two terms as National Chairperson.
Richie is a valued volunteer in his community, where he currently serves as a member of the School District 31 Board of Trustees. He is also a hardworking volunteer with the BC Lung Association where he continues as a volunteer Director and active participant in many special events and educational programs.
Richie stays physically active in spite of his asthma, walking whenever he can and working out at the local recreation centre. He has even taken part in the 10 kilometre Vancouver Sun Run as a member of the Lung Association's Sun Run SuperTeam.
Asthma hasn't slowed him down a bit.
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