... on second thought, focusing on asthma specifically would actually exclude this broader, more entrenched issue: the family complications associated with all childhood chronic illness, not just lung-related ones. We were talking last week about my desperation to return to full-time work after spending years caring for my kid, while some single parents are desperate just to hang on to their jobs as both the sole caregivers for their asthma kids and the main financial support as well. I�m not raising any children with diabetes or heart problems or any other health issue besides asthma, but I�m assuming they struggle on the same work/life battlefield.
The gulf between personal career aspirations and corporate America�s views on family obligations is already vast, and that�s for typical families. Throw chronic health and/or developmental issues into the mix and that divide can feel devastating.

I hope that the Little League Challenger Divisions across the USA, Special Olympics, and inclusive activity programs through parks departments and other organizations will participate fully in the "Let's Move" initiative to encourage healthy habits to 'eliminate the childhood obesity epidemic in one generation.' Those same healthy habits improve the quality of life and richness of experience for all children.
The Little League baseball Challenger Division gives youth with physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play on real teams with mainstream buddies who also love the game. Daily physical activity is encouraged by the national "Let's Move" awareness campaign.

Pam W
SE of Seattle

Down Syndrome and Diabetes Dual Diagnosis
Little League Challenger Teams
for Children with Special Needs and their mainstream peers
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art65635.asp/zzz