Sunday, August 11, 2002
One in 20 children is diagnosed with the breathing disorder.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Some 50 area asthmatic children ages 6 to 12 will spend the day at Forum Health's free Pediatric/Adolescent Asthma Camp playing games, swimming, making crafts and learning better ways to manage their asthma.
The camp, staffed by qualified health professionals and volunteers, is from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Joseph Badger Meadows Camp & amp; Conference Center in Burghill.
Dr. William Houser Jr., medical director of the Pediatric/Adolescent Asthma Center at Forum Health, and respiratory therapists, child life and education specialists, and registered nurses will supervise the children during the day.
"The camp brings children with asthma together for a day of fun, learning and sharing," said Marilyn Walton, coordinator of the asthma center.
"Best of all, kids at the camp learn that they are not the only ones with asthma," she said.
One in 20 children is diagnosed with asthma, the disease that is the most common cause of missed school days among children and accounts for one in every six emergency-room visits for children.
Chronic disorder
Asthma is a chronic disorder characterized by wheezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing. It is usually caused by an allergy to ingested substances.
For more information about the Pediatric/Adolescent Asthma Program and camp, call (330) 884-3415 or toll free at (877) 512-4861.