Penny Day Cutler, Ontario Hi, I have COPD which is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This disease is not very understood by the public. I have a hard time just trying to get air into my lungs and some days it is a real challenge just to get dressed. It seems that people with this disease are not getting the information they need from the medical people to help them cope with this dreadful illness. I joined a support group, online called, EFFORTS, and that was the beginning of my real learning about COPD!!! This group is very supportive and is such a great resource for information. There is even a Respiratory Therapist and a doctor that belong to this group and give us so much correct information. I really believe that the public needs to be very much aware of this disease and what causes it. Smoking is the number one cause, but there is also an inherited kind. For a wonderful source of knowledge on COPD please check out the website!! I know that you will be very impressed with this support group. EFFORTS http://www.emphysema.net YOUR STORIES Zoe Albright, Stroke Betty Bennett, Kidney Disease Roxanne Bedford-Curbow, Seizures Valerie Brekke, Fibromyalgia Lily Casura, Chronic Fatigue Billie Davis, Peripheral Neuropathy Penny Day, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Julia DeJesus, Seizure Disorder MS Patient, Fairfax, VA Charisse Farmer, Hydrocephalus Katherine Fielder, Chronic Pain Zoe Francis, Juvenile Diabetes James Hines, Hemochromatosis William Holford, Emphysema Nancy K, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patricia Lawson, Natural Rubber Latex Allergy James Locke, Crohn's Disease Gary Maslow, various Kathy Matthews, Parkinson's Andrea Meyer, MS Gina Owens, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Alicia Salas, Chronic Pain Allison Scott, Chronic Pain Deborah Serrano, Stroke Becky Shively, Phenylketonuria Jennifer Smallin, Type I Diabetes Joanna Southerland, Diabetes Alina Valdes, Cystic Fibrosis Elizabeth Wertz, Seizures WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Jose Pedro Greer, Physician W.F. Nagle, Physician Ronda Riebman, Exercise Cathleen Schilling, Case Manager Jim Sykes Home | Awareness | Patient Files | The Challenge | Your Stories | Outreach | Resources About the Program | About Fred Friendly Seminars | Our Partners | Site Map | Credits © 2001 Fred Friendly Seminars, Inc.