Lynn Peterson of Green Bay has asthma. Her mom also had asthma.
This Saturday, Peterson will participate in the 11th annual American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb -- heading up the 83 flights of stairs at the U.S. Bank building in downtown Milwaukee. Many people climb for loved ones struggling with lung disease. Peterson said she climbs for her mom, but she also climbs for herself and the advances made in improving the lives of those with lung disease.
"Three years ago, I signed up for the Fight for Air stair climb for the first time," Peterson said. "I did it because my sister invited me, not thinking the cause had anything to do with me. But when I started climbing the stairs, I realized that before the advent of good asthma medications I could NEVER HAVE DONE THIS. My mom and I both had asthma, and she spent her entire life struggling with it. She sacrificed things she wanted to do, struggled with routine chores like vacuuming and was constantly using an inhaler. Her asthma was a part of our lives because our entire family was affected by the things she thought might trigger an attack. It was suddenly clear to me how much has changed because of good research."
