Among the many people who struggle with severe asthma, Black women face unique challenges. It is not uncommon to go years without a proper diagnosis, and finding the right treatment often requires trial and error. Thankfully, all hope is not lost for people fighting to control severe asthma. We spoke with Juanita Brown Ingram. Jania Watson is two inspirational Black women who have lived her life with severe asthma and found strength, resilience, and a sense of purpose in her journey.
Juanita Brown Ingram, Esq.
Juanita Ingram has a resume that will blow your mind. In addition to being recently named Mrs. Universe, she is also an accomplished lawyer, filmmaker, and philanthropist. Looking from the side, it seems that there is nothing that this talented woman will not try, and she is likely to succeed. However, in everyday life, Juanita is more cautious. Juanita has suffered from severe asthma since she was a child. Her symptoms were always exacerbated by common illnesses such as colds and flu. She said, “She had heard stories about my breathing difficulties, and I distinctly remember that when I was younger, every time she got a virus, she couldn’t breathe.” Ingram says. “I remember that my asthma was so bad that I missed a lot of school and cried a lot. [was taken] I was very cautious as a child, and I still am, because I made sure to see a doctor frequently if I got sick. ”
Now, Juanita says her symptoms are best managed by working closely with her care team, avoiding getting sick and addressing symptoms before they occur. Ingram said she is blessed with skilled doctors who care about her symptoms as much as she does. While she competed in the Mrs. Universe pageant, Juanita took great care to stay away from other contestants to avoid catching colds or viruses, which can trigger her severe asthma. “I would stand off to the side, and sometimes that would be interpreted as, ‘Oh, she thinks she’s better than everyone else.’ But during the pageant, If I get sick, I’m done. My illness isn’t like anyone else’s, so I had to play the game with that in mind.”
Even if your symptoms are under control, living with severe asthma can still be difficult. Juanita relies on a strong support system to help her overcome the hurdles caused by a lack of public understanding.I would [also] Tell women to trust their intuition, advocate for it, and don’t let anyone deny what you’re going through. ”
Jania Watson
Jania, a content creator from Atlanta, Georgia, has lived with severe asthma for many years. Thanks to early testing by her asthma specialist, Jania was diagnosed with severe asthma as a child after experiencing frequent asthma attacks and difficulty in daily life. “I especially remember when I started school and we moved into a new house. One of the ways my sister and I met at that time was some kind of carpet. We moved into this new house. I just moved to New York, and within a few weeks of getting there, my parents literally had to pay for all the new carpet in the house.”
As Jania grew older, she had fewer asthma flare-ups and thought she had her asthma under control. But when she visited her doctor during her high school years, she discovered that her severe asthma was affecting her more than she had realized. “She had to do a breathing test for the first time in a while,” she explains. “The doctor told me to take a deep breath and blow into the machine to test my breathing. They told me to blow as hard as I could. And I was doing it. was giving everything he had. [My dad and the doctor] They looked at me like, “Girl, stop playing.”and at that point [it confirmed] I still have severe asthma because I tried my best. It doesn’t actually go away, I just learned how to deal with it better. ”
Jania recognizes that people who don’t live with asthma don’t understand the disease and may mistake it for something less serious. Or you may think your symptoms are so minor that it’s not worth talking about. So for Jania, communication with others What matters is her diagnosis. She said, “She has severe asthma. [flare-ups] In some cases, it’s very similar to being unwell,” she said. “But this is a chronic disease that I was born with. This is something I’ve lived with my entire life. And I think it’s important for people to know because it will determine their next steps.” Masu. [They might ask] “Does he need a water bottle or an inhaler?” Should he rest or should he be taken to the hospital? ‘ So I think it’s also very important to let the people around you know what’s going on in case something happens. ”
Like Juanita, Jania’s life has had its ups and downs, but she remains a steadfast advocate for asthma awareness and support within the Black community. She hopes her story can inspire other women with asthma who still don’t have their symptoms under control. “Even if you don’t have severe asthma, you still have a life to live. It’s always going to be there, but it doesn’t stop you from living your life. That’s why you learn how to manage it and have a support system.” It’s really important to have that around you.”
By sharing their journey, Juanita and Jania encourage others to accept their symptoms and seek appropriate management plans from their doctors and asthma specialists such as pulmonologists and allergists. We want to help raise awareness and support for asthma, not just for Black people. This is not just for the community, but for everyone living with severe asthma.
Read more stories from Juanita, Jania and others amgen.comor visit Black women’s asthma is out of control | Breaking the cycle To find support and resources.
